Sourcing aluminium flat bars from China

Duty on aluminium flat bars

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 21 October 2026, heading 7604 covers aluminium bars, rods and profiles. Ordinary solid rectangular flat bars should be checked against the bars and rods lines, distinguishing non-alloy aluminium from aluminium alloys. The profile row is relevant only where the section is classified as a profile. See the related round-bar guide for the wider heading.

The supplied lines show 6% ordinary duty. The alloy bars line lists a 0.00 % suspension for narrowly specified goods, including aluminium-lithium bars; its composition footnote is incomplete, so confirm eligibility before claiming relief. Anti-dumping entries are blank, rather than confirmed zero: the published reference records a separate measure with a 35.1% residual rate and 15.4% for listed non-sampled cooperating exporters, with the required invoice declaration. No import controls or countervailing amounts are listed in the supplied data.

The reference records exclusions for extrusions over 14 kg per metre or with a maximum cross-sectional dimension over 310 mm. A suspension does not remove applicable anti-dumping duty. Confirm the full specification and exporter with your broker using commodity-code guidance. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism will apply to these aluminium lines for your planned imports; ask the factory for emissions information when planning later imports.

Specify the flat section and material condition

State alloy, temper, width, thickness and cut length, with agreed tolerances for each. Specify straightness, twist, edge shape and cut-end squareness. Explain whether the bar will be machined, bent, welded or used as visible trim, so the factory can quote against the intended material condition.

Identify whether the bar is extruded or cut from plate. Agree acceptable edge burrs and surface marks, and specify any anodising or coating separately. Request batch-linked mill certificates and approve a sample using your actual machining or forming operation. The official anti-dumping notice explains that the name aluminium extrusions can also cover goods produced by rolling, forging or casting.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: mixed cut lengths of alloy flat bar for a fabrication workshop under 7604 29 10 00, invoiced at £9,702 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,702. Duty at 6% is £762.12. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,464.12, so it is £2,692.82. Import taxes total £3,454.94; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £762.12 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Material: match batch markings and mill certificates to the ordered alloy and temper; compare composition and mechanical-property evidence with the purchase specification.

Dimensions: measure width, thickness and length across sampled bars; check straightness, twist and end squareness before shipment and again on arrival.

Edges and finish: inspect burrs, saw marks, dents and scratches; measure any specified coating and compare appearance with the approved sample.

Packing: check separators, end protection and secure bundles; retain batch identification when bundles are opened. Arrange quality inspection against the agreed acceptance criteria.

What goes wrong

A bar can have the correct nominal dimensions but arrive bowed or twisted, leaving insufficient material for machining. Soft material, mixed batches, rough cut edges and scratches can also defeat the intended use. Check production samples against the drawing and trial process, rather than relying on a catalogue description.

A quotation showing only ordinary duty can understate the landed cost. The producer or invoice declaration may not support the expected anti-dumping rate, while a suspension may not match the alloy supplied. Settle these points before ordering and use the import duty and VAT guide when reviewing the example values.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.