Sourcing aluminium loading ramps from China
Aluminium loading ramps classified under heading 7616 carry 6% standard UK duty from China; the listed suspensions concern other products. For workplace supply, general health and safety duties apply where more specific product safety law does not. Specify the loading conditions behind the capacity claim. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium loading ramps.
UK duty on aluminium loading ramps
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7616 covers other articles of aluminium. Non-cast loading ramps are candidates for 7616 99 90 99, subject to confirmation of their construction and function. The table shows ramp formats sharing this candidate code, rather than separate tariff lines. See the aluminium stepladders guide for the wider heading.
The supplied tariff data records 6% standard duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. The suspensions attached to the candidate code describe specified guide rails, composite panels, honeycomb blocks, metallised film and aircraft fittings, rather than loading ramps. The tariff also attaches torture-goods import prohibition and export restriction controls. Official guidance prohibits imports and exports of the listed prohibited goods; ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached controls are cleared for your ramps.
Send drawings, photographs, material details and the intended use to your broker before ordering. Use finding your commodity code to check classification. Agree the code for the actual product, particularly if the shipment includes powered equipment or separately supplied parts.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cast aluminium loading ramps, rigid | 7616 99 90 99 | 6% | None |
Load rating, wheel contact and vehicle fit
Specify whether capacity is stated per ramp or per pair, the supported span, loading height, wheelbase, tyre width and concentrated wheel load. Agree usable track width, cross-member spacing, alloy and temper, section thickness, weld layout, fixing lip and restraint arrangement. Request a load-test report identifying the exact model and test arrangement; a photograph of a vehicle on a ramp leaves these conditions unclear.
HSE says general workplace product safety law applies to articles for use at work where more specific product safety law does not apply. PUWER places duties on businesses controlling work equipment. For procurement, request instructions covering support, restraint, loading direction, permitted loading conditions and withdrawal from use after damage. Agree an engineering review and testing support before accepting the capacity claim.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 pairs of folding aluminium loading ramps 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 the usable width, length, section thickness and fixing lip against the approved drawing; trial the lip on the intended vehicle interface.
Welds and frame: check for cracks, incomplete welds, distortion and sharp edges; compare both ramps for alignment and matching construction.
Hinges and restraint: operate folding joints, check pins and locks, and confirm that the supplied restraint fits the agreed attachment points.
Grip and documents: inspect tread and cross-member spacing, compare the capacity label with the model-specific report, and check instructions and transit damage during inspection.
What goes wrong
A pair rating can be mistaken for the capacity of each ramp. A test with a spread load may leave concentrated wheel loading unaddressed. A short fixing lip, mismatched vehicle edge or missing restraint can let the ramp move. Thin sections, distorted weldments and loose hinge pins can undermine the approved design.
Order acceptance should compare production ramps with the tested construction and loading arrangement. On arrival, check for bent lips, damaged tread and frame distortion before putting the ramps into service. Keep the approved drawing, report and instructions together so replacements can be checked against the same specification.
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 loading ramps from China?
The supplied tariff data records 6% standard duty under heading 7616. The listed suspensions describe other products. Confirm the finished ramp's commodity code before ordering.
Is the advertised ramp capacity per ramp or per pair?
Ask the factory to state this explicitly and identify the span, loading height and wheel-contact conditions. Match the answer to the exact model's load-test report.
What should I ask a Chinese ramp factory for?
Request drawings, alloy and temper details, section thicknesses, weld specifications, model-specific test evidence, restraint details and instructions for the intended vehicle and load.
How do I check folding aluminium ramps on arrival?
Check frame alignment, welds, hinge pins, locks, fixing lips, restraint fittings and tread damage. Compare labels and construction with the approved drawing and test report.