Sourcing aluminium heat sinks from China
Aluminium heat sinks classified under heading 7616 carry a standard UK duty of 6% from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown in the supplied tariff record. Confirm classification from the manufacturing process and intended use; electronic assembly compliance also matters. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium heat sinks.
UK duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7616 covers other articles of aluminium. The supplied lines all carry a standard duty of 6% for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. The table gives possible descriptions to check, rather than interchangeable codes for every heat sink. Do not assume that a finned electronic component meets the tariff description for aluminium radiators.
The recorded 0.00 % suspensions cover specified engine brackets, guide rails, composite panels, honeycomb blocks, metallised film and aircraft fittings, rather than a general heat-sink exemption. The non-cast candidate lines also attach torture-goods import prohibitions and export restrictions. Official guidance prohibits imports of the listed torture goods; ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached measures apply to your product from China.
Give your broker drawings, alloy details, manufacturing process and intended use before confirming the code through finding your commodity code. For the wider aluminium product family, see aluminium extrusions.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other cast aluminium articles, including heat sinks where classification is confirmed | 7616 99 10 99 | 6% | None |
| Other aluminium articles, including machined heat sinks where classification is confirmed | 7616 99 90 99 | 6% | None |
| Other hand-made aluminium articles, only where the heat sink meets this description | 7616 99 90 09 | 6% | None |
| Cast aluminium radiators or sections, only where the heat sink meets this description | 7616 99 10 91 | 6% | None |
Fin geometry, mounting face and thermal performance
Specify the alloy and temper, extrusion or casting process, overall envelope, base thickness, fin spacing and height, mounting-hole positions and threads. Put tolerances for mounting-face flatness and surface finish on the drawing. Agree anodising, masking of contact areas, deburring and protective packing against an approved sample.
Define the heat load, airflow, orientation, ambient conditions and thermal interface used for acceptance testing. A supplier's thermal-performance figure is useful only when its test arrangement matches your application. Test the sample in the intended assembly before approving production.
Official guidance distinguishes business-to-business components from finished electronic assemblies under the hazardous-substance rules. Components sold on that basis are outside the rules' scope, but a covered final assembly, including its components, must comply. Ask for material and coating evidence that your assembly manufacturer can assess.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 200 machined aluminium heat sinks under 7616 99 90 99, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,200. Duty at 6% is £192. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,392, so it is £678.40. Import taxes total £870.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £192 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material: match batch identification and alloy evidence to the approved specification; investigate substitutions before accepting the shipment.
Geometry: measure the base, fins, mounting-face flatness and hole positions; check threads with the agreed gauges and trial-fit the mating component.
Surface and packing: check for bent fins, burrs, scratches, casting defects and coating on masked contact areas; inspect delivered cartons for crushing and abrasion.
Thermal performance: repeat the agreed assembly test with the specified airflow and interface material. Record results by batch through quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A heat sink can match the outer dimensions yet fail because its base is bowed, fins are damaged or the mounting holes pull it away from the device. Coating on a contact area, machining residue and an unsuitable interface can undermine an otherwise acceptable sample. Compare delivered parts with the drawing and trial assembly.
Another failure is accepting a catalogue thermal figure without its test conditions, or accepting a generic material report that does not identify the supplied alloy and coating. Tie approval to the actual part, its finish and a repeatable test arrangement.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aluminium heat sinks from China?
The supplied tariff record shows a standard duty of 6% for heading 7616 lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the actual classification before ordering.
Which commodity code should I use for an aluminium heat sink?
Start with the manufacturing process and intended use. Cast and other aluminium articles have different lines. Give your broker the drawing and application; do not select a radiator line merely because the part dissipates heat.
Do business-to-business heat-sink components need hazardous-substance evidence?
Such components are outside the rules' scope when sold business to business, but a covered final electronic assembly must comply, including its components. Obtain alloy and coating evidence for the assembly assessment.
How do I check whether a heat sink performs properly?
Trial-fit it, check mounting-face flatness and test it with the intended heat load, airflow, orientation and interface material. Compare production samples with the approved assembly test.