Sourcing aluminium stage platforms from China
Aluminium modular stage platforms classified under heading 7610 carry 6% UK duty from China across the relevant lines. Complete kits and fabricated subassemblies differ from loose extrusions for trade remedies. Suppliers must supply safe work equipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium modular stage platforms.
Duty on stage kits and structural parts
Heading 7610 covers aluminium structures and structural parts. For modular stages, the relevant distinctions are fabricated frame subassemblies, finished goods kits and separately imported structural parts. The table gives candidate classifications, rather than a code that applies to every platform. See the wider aluminium structures guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, all the selected lines carry 6% ordinary duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no suspensions or attached import controls on these lines. They flag anti-dumping on the unassembled, unwelded extrusion line without giving a rate. The reference guide distinguishes exempt structures, subassemblies and finished goods kits from extrusions subject to the measure.
Send your broker the deck construction, frame drawings, packing list and assembly instructions before ordering. Describe whether parts arrive attached, as a complete kit, or needing further fabrication. Confirm the classification and any extrusion measure using finding your commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabricated aluminium stage-frame subassemblies | 7610 90 90 91 | 6% | None |
| Complete aluminium stage kits requiring no further fabrication | 7610 90 90 92 | 6% | None |
| Other aluminium structural stage parts, subject to classification | 7610 90 90 95 | 6% | None |
| Unassembled, unwelded aluminium profiles and tubes for stage structures | 7610 90 90 10 | 6% | See the tariff |
Deck loads, leg locks and compatible modules
Specify deck dimensions, frame alloy and temper, deck material, surface grip, usable heights and the connection system. Agree both distributed and concentrated loads, with supporting calculations or test reports covering the actual deck, legs, bracing and connectors supplied. State whether the platform is for indoor or outdoor use, and include stairs, edge protection and replacement parts in the drawings.
Suppliers must supply safe work equipment. Ask for assembly, use and maintenance instructions covering leg locking, levelling, bracing and permitted layouts. HSE says inspection is necessary where incorrect installation, reinstallation or deterioration can create significant safety risks. Plan the inspection of the assembled stage as well as the checks on goods received.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Modular stage kit for an event hire business (illustrative order) under 7610 90 90 92, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,000. Duty at 6% is £1,380. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,380, so it is £4,876. Import taxes total £6,256; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,380 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: assemble adjoining production modules and check deck alignment, connector engagement, stair attachment and compatibility with the approved sample.
Frames and legs: check welds, distortion, leg sockets, locking pins, adjustable feet and bracing against the approved drawings.
Decks: check panel attachment, edge support, surface grip, damaged corners and separation between the panel and frame.
Load evidence: match calculations and test reports to the supplied configuration, leg height and components. Use quality inspection to record deviations before shipment.
What goes wrong
A deck load claim may describe a different leg arrangement or omit concentrated loads from equipment. Modules can fit individually but leave steps or gaps when joined. Loose sockets, incomplete locking-pin engagement and distorted frames need checking during trial assembly, rather than from photographs alone.
Packing can damage deck edges and separate connectors from their intended modules. Agree labelled component packs and a packing list tied to the assembly drawings. Loose profiles supplied alongside finished platforms also need a separate tariff review; do not assume the finished kit treatment covers every item.
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 stage platforms from China?
The relevant heading 7610 lines carry 6% ordinary duty. Unassembled, unwelded aluminium profiles have an anti-dumping flag, so check the measure separately before importing loose extrusions.
Which commodity code covers a modular stage kit?
7610 90 90 92 is a candidate for a finished goods kit needing no further finishing or fabrication. Ask your broker to confirm it from the contents and assembly instructions.
What should a stage platform load report cover?
Ask for evidence covering the actual deck, legs, height, bracing and connectors, including distributed and concentrated loads. Match the report to the configuration ordered.
Do modular stages need an installation inspection?
HSE says inspection is necessary where incorrect installation or reinstallation can create significant safety risks. Plan checks for the assembled stage, alongside arrival checks.