Sourcing induction foil liners from China
Aluminium induction sealing foil liners and their foil inputs can attract 6% to 10% UK duty from China, depending on backing and thickness. Food packers must use packaging suitable for food use. Specify the bottle material and test the complete closure. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium induction sealing foil liners.
Duty depends on the liner construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, heading 7607 covers aluminium foil up to 0.2 mm thick, excluding backing. For induction liners, distinguish backed laminates, unbacked worked foil and converter foil supplied for manufacture. The table gives candidate lines, not a classification for every finished liner. See the wider aluminium packaging foil guide.
The selected Chinese-origin lines carry standard duty of 6% or 10%, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. Converter foil has a specification-limited suspension to 0.00%. The suspension on the other worked-foil line is for a listed battery-cathode laminate, not ordinary sealing liners. Do not apply an input-foil suspension to a finished composite liner.
Give your customs broker the layer construction, aluminium thickness excluding backing, dimensions and supplied form before confirming the commodity code. Ask your customs broker or HMRC to confirm whether UK CBAM will apply to the actual goods and planned import date; ask the factory for emissions data when planning future imports.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backed foil, aluminium layer under 0.021 mm | 7607 20 10 00 | 10% | None |
| Other worked unbacked foil under 0.021 mm | 7607 19 10 90 | 6% | None |
| Other worked unbacked foil from 0.021 mm to 0.2 mm | 7607 19 90 96 | 6% | None |
| Unbacked converter foil for subsequent liner manufacture | 7607 11 19 91 | 6% | None |
Match the liner to the bottle and contents
Specify bottle material, neck opening, sealing-land shape, cap design and liner diameter. State whether the backing stays in the cap after sealing, whether the seal should peel cleanly or tear, and whether a pull tab is needed. Record the foil, backing, adhesive and heat-seal layers separately.
Agree trials using your actual bottle, cap, contents and induction equipment. Record cap torque, machine settings and line speed against the approved sample. Check sealing after storage and transport simulation, rather than approving a loose disc alone.
If you package food yourself, you must use packaging suitable for food use. Ask for supplier declarations and migration reports covering the proposed food and contact conditions, including the sealant and adhesive rather than only the aluminium. Where plastic packaging rules apply, obtain written compliance evidence from the supplier.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative carton shipment of backed induction sealing foil liners under 7607 20 10 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 10% is £520. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,720, so it is £1,144. Import taxes total £1,664; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £520 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure liner diameter and layer thickness against the drawing; check seating inside the cap and coverage of the bottle sealing land.
Seal: run supplied liners through the agreed bottle and cap trial; check leaks, unbonded edges, scorching and opening behaviour.
Surface: check pinholes, wrinkles, delamination, contamination and loose cutting debris; compare printed faces and pull tabs with the approved sample.
Batch records: match carton labels and material reports to the delivered lot; retain sealed trial bottles and liner samples. Agree these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A liner can fit the cap yet fail to bond to the bottle because the sealant does not match the bottle material. Uneven bottle rims, inconsistent cap torque and unsuitable induction settings can leave leak paths or burn the laminate. Test the complete closure before releasing the shipment.
Backing separation can leave paper fibres or adhesive at the opening, while an excessively strong bond makes the seal difficult to remove. A report for bare aluminium does not demonstrate the performance of the finished laminate. Freeze the approved layer construction and require supplier agreement before substitutions.
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 induction foil liners from China?
The selected foil lines carry 6% or 10% standard duty. Backed foil under 0.021 mm excluding backing carries 10%. Confirm the finished liner’s construction and code; the selected lines have no listed trade remedy.
Will the same induction liner seal every plastic bottle?
Do not assume so. Specify the bottle material and test the liner with your actual bottle, cap, contents and induction settings.
What evidence should I request for food bottle liners?
Ask for declarations and migration reports covering the complete laminate and intended food-contact conditions. Where plastic packaging rules apply, obtain written compliance evidence.
Can I approve liners by checking their diameter alone?
No. Check cap fit, bond continuity, leakage and opening behaviour after sealing. Include storage and transport trials using the complete closure.