Sourcing aluminium fin strip from China
Aluminium heat-exchanger fin strip within heading 7606 pays 6% UK duty from China on the selected lines, with no listed anti-dumping duty. This heading covers strip over 0.2 mm thick; confirm thinner material separately and do not apply a balcony-parts suspension to fin stock. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium heat-exchanger fin strip.
UK duty and the thickness boundary
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7606 covers aluminium plates, sheets and strip exceeding 0.2 mm thick. This guide concerns flat strip supplied for making heat-exchanger fins. Confirm thinner stock separately rather than selecting a code by its description as fin strip. See the wider aluminium sheet guide. For marine applications, see our marine-grade aluminium plate sourcing guide. For reflective sheet, see our guide to sourcing mirror-finish aluminium sheets.
The selected lines carry 6% duty for Chinese-origin goods, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. The 0% suspension recorded for 7606 12 92 93 concerns qualifying sheet for balcony parts, not heat-exchanger fin strip. The other selected lines have no recorded suspension. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT. For beverage-can material, see our aluminium can body stock guide.
Confirm alloy status, thickness, coating, backing and supplied form using finding your commodity code. The commodity code must appear on the import declaration. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether heading 7606 falls within the aluminium scope of the UK's carbon border adjustment mechanism and when any obligations apply. Ask the mill for emissions information alongside material certificates.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated aluminium alloy strip in coils, over 0.2 mm and under 3 mm | 7606 12 92 93 | 6% | None |
| Other uncoated, unbacked rectangular alloy strip, over 0.2 mm and under 3 mm | 7606 12 92 94 | 6% | None |
| Other painted, varnished or plastic-coated alloy strip, without backing | 7606 12 50 88 | 6% | None |
| Uncoated, unbacked non-alloy aluminium strip, over 0.2 mm and under 3 mm | 7606 11 91 86 | 6% | None |
Specify strip for the fin-forming process
State the alloy composition, temper, thickness and width tolerances, slit-edge condition, coil bore, winding direction and permitted joints. Distinguish bare strip, coated strip and brazing-clad material. For clad stock, identify the core and each cladding layer rather than accepting a general aluminium description; have the customs broker confirm its classification.
Agree tensile properties, elongation and a forming trial using your fin tooling. For brazed assemblies, trial the material with the intended joining process and inspect fin shape afterwards. For coated strip, specify coating chemistry, adhesion and compatibility with the intended service conditions.
UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles as well as substances and mixtures. Ask for composition and coating information so you can assess the applicable chemical obligations before supplying the strip in Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6 tonnes of uncoated aluminium alloy fin strip in coils under 7606 12 92 93, invoiced at £36,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £40,000. Duty at 6% is £2,400. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £42,400, so it is £8,480. Import taxes total £10,880; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,400 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material identity: match coil labels and mill certificates to the delivered batch; verify alloy composition and temper against the purchase specification.
Gauge and slit edges: measure thickness and width across sampled strip; check burrs, edge cracks and camber against the agreed limits.
Forming and surface: run a sample through the intended fin tooling; inspect tearing, springback, oil residue and coating damage, with a joining trial where relevant.
Coils and packing: check unwinding, crushed bores, displaced windings, wet wrapping and corrosion marks. Record findings through quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
The wrong temper can crack during fin forming or leave fins too soft to retain their shape. Width variation and slit burrs disrupt feeding; camber distorts the fin pattern. Residual oil, unsuitable coatings or inconsistent cladding can undermine joining. Approve a production-material trial and retain a comparison sample.
A satisfactory outer wrap can hide damaged inner windings or moisture staining. Specify how coils will be sampled and unwound before acceptance. Separately, check the actual gauge before booking freight: a fin-strip description alone does not establish that heading 7606 applies.
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 fin strip from China?
The selected heading 7606 lines carry 6% duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The recorded balcony-parts suspension does not cover heat-exchanger fin-strip use.
Does all aluminium heat-exchanger fin strip fall under 7606?
No. Heading 7606 covers strip exceeding 0.2 mm thick. Confirm thinner material separately, and check alloy, coating, backing and supplied form before choosing the code.
What should I specify when buying aluminium fin strip?
Specify alloy, temper, gauge and width tolerances, slit edges, coil bore, winding and joints. Identify any coating or brazing cladding, and approve a trial with your fin tooling.
How do I check fin strip before accepting delivery?
Match certificates to coil labels, measure gauge and width, inspect edges and surface, and trial unwinding and fin forming. For brazed assemblies, include a joining trial.