Sourcing aluminium jerry cans from China
Aluminium jerry cans from China carry 6% UK duty across the relevant variants, with no trade remedy shown in the supplied tariff data. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; petrol storage needs particular attention to design and sealing. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium jerry cans.
UK duty on aluminium jerry cans
Heading 7612 covers aluminium containers of a capacity not exceeding 300 litres, excluding containers for compressed or liquefied gas and those fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment. Empty aluminium jerry cans are candidates for 7612 90 80 00. The table shows product variants within that single tariff line. See the wider aluminium containers guide for other products in the heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the relevant line carries 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied data shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Official guidance reviewed does not establish the declaration requirement for these empty cans, so the importer should confirm it with their customs broker.
Confirm the material, capacity, construction and whether the cans arrive empty before agreeing the commodity code. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether this heading falls within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism and when any requirements apply; review the UK carbon border guide before planning later shipments.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty aluminium jerry cans with screw closures | 7612 90 80 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the liquid, closure and welded body
State whether the can will hold petrol, diesel, water or another liquid. Specify the aluminium alloy, wall thickness and tolerances, nominal and brimful capacities, weld construction, handle attachment, cap mechanism, gasket material and pouring spout. Agree compatibility evidence for the intended liquid, including any internal coating. Approve a sample with the actual closure and accessories intended for production.
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. HSE identifies specific design principles for portable petrol storage containers. Have a competent assessor check the proposed petrol-can design against those principles before ordering. HSE guidance says the closure should show no visible leakage when the container is on its side or accidentally tipped over.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 100 empty aluminium jerry cans under 7612 90 80 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,980. Duty at 6% is £298.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,278.80, so it is £1,055.76. Import taxes total £1,354.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £298.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body and welds: measure agreed wall thickness, compare empty weight with the approved sample, and inspect seams, corners and handle welds for cracks, pinholes and distortion.
Closure and gasket: check cap engagement, lever retention and gasket seating. Arrange controlled leak tests, including side orientation, using an agreed safe test method and liquid.
Capacity and pouring: measure nominal and brimful capacities against the approved drawing. Check stability, spout attachment, pouring control and whether the handle remains comfortable under load.
Finish and identification: inspect coating adhesion, internal cleanliness, sharp edges and transit dents. Compare labels, instructions and batch identification with the approved artwork at inspection.
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What goes wrong
A can can look sound while leaking through a weld or cap seal. Gaskets may swell, harden or lose sealing pressure after contact with the intended liquid. Thin corners dent during transport, handle welds crack under load, and poorly matched spouts dribble or detach. A successful water leak test alone does not establish compatibility with petrol.
Keep the approved body, closure, gasket and spout together as the reference assembly. Ask for test reports that identify the supplied design and materials, then compare production samples and arrival checks with that assembly. Hold leaking or damaged stock for investigation before distribution.
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 jerry cans from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 6% for 7612 90 80 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Confirm that the actual can belongs in this line.
Can I use an aluminium jerry can for petrol?
Specify petrol use before ordering. HSE sets out petrol-container design principles and recommends a closure that does not visibly leak when the can is on its side or tipped over. Have the complete design assessed.
Does the F-gas tariff flag apply to empty jerry cans?
The supplied tariff data attaches the control. The official guidance reviewed does not settle the declaration requirement for these empty cans. Confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker.
What should I check when aluminium jerry cans arrive?
Check welds, handle attachments, wall thickness, cap and gasket fit, spout retention, internal cleanliness and transit damage. Compare samples with the approved assembly and agreed leak-test results.