Sourcing aluminium cold plates from China
Aluminium liquid cooling plates classified under heading 7616 carry standard UK duty of 6%; listed 0% suspensions concern other specified goods. Confirm classification and pressure-equipment scope before ordering, then agree coolant, leak and thermal tests. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium liquid cooling plates.
Duty and classification for liquid cooling plates
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7616 covers other articles of aluminium. The supplied lines carry 6% standard duty on Chinese-origin goods, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Listed 0% suspensions concern specified goods such as engine brackets and guide rails, rather than a general relief for cooling plates.
The table lists classification candidates, not interchangeable codes. Give your broker drawings, manufacturing details and the intended application to confirm the commodity code, including whether this heading fits the finished component. Do not assume a cold plate is a radiator section. See the wider aluminium heat sinks guide.
The supplied non-cast lines attach torture-and-repression import prohibitions and export restrictions. Imports of goods covered by the prohibition are prohibited; export licensing applies to specified controlled goods. Ask your customs broker to confirm the linked control footnotes against the actual plate and intended use before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other cast aluminium articles: candidate for cast cooling plates | 7616 99 10 99 | 6% | None |
| Other hand-made aluminium articles: check manufacturing method | 7616 99 90 09 | 6% | None |
| Other aluminium articles: candidate for fabricated cooling plates | 7616 99 90 99 | 6% | None |
| Aluminium radiator sections: only if radiator classification is confirmed | 7616 99 90 91 | 6% | None |
Coolant channels, contact face and pressure
Specify alloy and temper, channel geometry, joining method, port threads, mounting holes, contact-face flatness and surface finish. Define coolant composition, operating temperature, flow rate, allowable pressure drop and heat load. Agree the leak-test method, test pressure, hold time and acceptance criteria, with results traceable to the production batch.
Check pressure-equipment scope before approving the design. The pressure-equipment rules cover pressure equipment and assemblies above 0.5 bar maximum allowable pressure. Ask the manufacturer to document the applicable classification and exclusions. Where relevant, importers must check conformity assessment, technical documentation and marking; pressure equipment supplied in Great Britain must have instructions in English.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pilot batch of fabricated aluminium liquid cooling plates, assuming this classification is confirmed under 7616 99 90 99, 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 6% is £312. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,512, so it is £1,102.40. Import taxes total £1,414.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £312 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure contact-face flatness, mounting-hole positions and port threads against the approved drawing; trial-fit the actual fittings.
Sealing: witness the agreed leak test, inspect welded or brazed joints and verify that reports identify the tested batch.
Performance: check flow and pressure drop with the specified coolant, then test thermal performance using the agreed heat load and mounting arrangement.
Cleanliness and packing: check channels for swarf and residue, inspect the contact face for dents, and confirm dry interiors, capped ports and protective packing at inspection.
What goes wrong
A plate can pass an external dimensional check yet leak through a joint or casting pore. Distorted contact faces reduce contact with the cooled component; blocked channels increase pressure drop. A thermal result measured with a different coolant or mounting arrangement may not represent your application.
Freeze the drawing, coolant and test conditions before production. Retest after changes to channel geometry or joining method, and keep batch records with the inspection results. On arrival, inspect packing damage and repeat the agreed acceptance checks before installation.
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 liquid cooling plates from China?
The supplied heading 7616 lines carry 6% standard duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Listed 0% suspensions concern other specified goods. Confirm the finished plate's code.
Do aluminium liquid cooling plates need CE or UKCA marking?
Check pressure-equipment scope and classification first. Marking depends on the applicable requirements; do not accept a generic certificate as proof for your plate.
What should I specify for a liquid cooling plate?
Specify alloy, channels, joining method, ports, flatness, coolant, heat load, flow and pressure drop. Agree leak and thermal test conditions and acceptance criteria.
How do I check cooling plates when they arrive?
Check face damage, flatness, fitting compatibility and channel cleanliness. Repeat the agreed leak and performance checks, and match the batch identification to the factory's test records.