Sourcing aluminium frying pans from China

UK duty on aluminium frying pans

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, aluminium frying pans fall within heading 7615 for aluminium kitchen articles. The relevant lines are 7615 10 10 90 for cast articles and 7615 10 80 90 for other articles. The table separates coated and uncoated variants within these same lines.

Both relevant lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Food contact suitability remains a separate requirement.

Confirm the manufacturing method and material against the commodity code guide before declaring the goods. For other products within the heading, see aluminium cookware.

Specify the coating, base and handle

Specify the aluminium alloy, cast or formed construction, rim diameter, cooking surface dimensions, wall and base thickness, coating supplier and finish. For induction models, identify the bonded steel plate and approve a sample that heats on the intended hob. Record the handle material, fixing method and any claimed oven suitability.

Confirm applicable requirements concerning the transfer of constituents from food contact surfaces into food with Trading Standards. Ask for migration reports for the finished pan, covering its aluminium and coating, and retain them with the batch records. Consumer pans sold in Great Britain must also be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Use testing and certification support to settle the evidence before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 non-stick aluminium frying pans, illustrative order under 7615 10 80 90, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 6% is £1,950. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,450, so it is £6,890. Import taxes total £8,840; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,950 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Base: measure wall and base thickness against the specification, check flatness and repeat the agreed heating and cooling test. Test induction samples on a hob and check the bonded plate for separation.

Coating: compare the production finish with the approved sample, inspect for bare patches, scratches and blistering, and check adhesion, thickness and abrasion results for the finished pan.

Handle: check rivets or screws for movement, carry out the agreed pull and torque tests, and compare heat-test results with the oven-use claim on the packaging.

Arrival: inspect rims, bases and handles for transit damage, compare received pans with the approved sample and match the batch to its reports. Plan these checks using the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

Thin or poorly formed bases warp, induction plates separate and poorly prepared surfaces let coatings blister or flake. Handle fixings loosen and handles can crack near the flame. A good-looking sample does not settle these issues: agree functional tests and inspect production pans.

A change of coating supplier can leave the original reports describing a different product. Require written notice of material or coating changes and review the finished-pan evidence before accepting the changed batch.

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.