Sourcing aluminium sample cylinders from China
Aluminium gas sampling cylinders from China normally pay 6% UK duty. The heading's 0% suspensions cover other specified cylinder types. Where sampling cylinders are transportable pressure equipment, conformity assessment and marking are required before sale in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium gas sampling cylinders.
Duty on aluminium gas sampling cylinders
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7613 covers aluminium containers for compressed or liquefied gas. The supplied commodity line, 7613 00 00 90, carries 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. The table shows sampling-cylinder configurations under that same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The listed 0% suspensions concern specified carbon-fibre-overwrapped natural-gas or hydrogen containers and empty portable medical oxygen cylinders fitted with a valve and pressure and flow regulator. Ordinary gas sampling cylinders should be budgeted at 6%. The tariff also attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Confirm the applicable declaration and documents with your customs broker, stating whether the cylinders are empty and identifying any contents.
Confirm the commodity code using the cylinder material, pressure service and supplied configuration. Valves supplied separately are classified by what they are. See the wider aluminium gas cylinder guide for other applications.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium gas sampling cylinders supplied without valves | 7613 00 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the sample gas and wetted surfaces
Specify the sample gas and components being measured, water capacity, working and test pressure, alloy, internal surface treatment, valve materials and seals. Agree whether the cylinder needs a flow-through arrangement, how it will be purged, and which connections fit the sampling rig and laboratory equipment. Ask the laboratory to assess a cleaned trial cylinder before approving production.
For cylinders used as transportable pressure equipment, conformity assessment and marking are required before placement on the Great Britain market. The UK Rho marking identifies compliance under that framework, and an appointed inspection body can authorise its application. Confirm the assessment route for the intended gas and use before ordering; have the filler or laboratory review the approval evidence.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A distributor's stock batch of empty aluminium gas sampling cylinders, illustrative under 7613 00 00 90, invoiced at £48,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £50,400. Duty at 6% is £3,024. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £53,424, so it is £10,684.80. Import taxes total £13,708.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,024 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Approval and identity: match the cylinder design, serial numbers, conformity evidence, markings and batch test records. Check that the approved configuration includes the supplied valves.
Connections and leakage: gauge neck threads, compare valve outlets with the approved drawing, operate valves and review pressure and leak-test records against the agreed acceptance criteria.
Sample cleanliness: inspect accessible wetted surfaces for oil, moisture and debris. Ask the laboratory to compare a blank and a retained gas sample with the agreed reference method, including after storage.
Arrival condition: check for dents, damaged threads, loose valves and missing caps. Keep suspect cylinders separate while their condition is assessed. Plan these checks through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A cylinder can hold pressure yet change the sample. Residual cleaning fluid, unsuitable seals or an unverified internal coating can affect analytical results. A valve cavity that is difficult to purge can retain the previous sample. Agree cleaning, drying and sample-recovery checks with the laboratory rather than accepting a general cleanliness claim.
Wrong connections prevent use on the sampling rig, and certificates for another cylinder design leave the buyer without matching approval evidence. Resolve the drawing, gas compatibility and documentation before shipment. If importing filled cylinders, check the actual contents: products containing banned fluorinated gases must not be placed on the Great Britain market.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aluminium gas sampling cylinders from China?
The supplied tariff line, 7613 00 00 90, carries 6% duty for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Ordinary sampling cylinders do not match the listed suspension descriptions.
Do aluminium gas sampling cylinders need approval?
Where they are transportable pressure equipment, conformity assessment and marking are required before placement on the Great Britain market. Confirm the route for the intended gas and use before ordering.
How do I check that a sampling cylinder will not contaminate the sample?
Agree wetted materials, cleaning and internal treatment with the laboratory. Assess a blank and sample recovery after storage using the intended gas mixture and analytical method.
Does the fluorinated-gas control apply to empty sampling cylinders?
The tariff attaches the control to this commodity line. Give your broker the empty or filled status, intended use and any gas contents, and confirm the applicable declaration before shipment.