Sourcing aluminium ointment tubes from China
Empty collapsible aluminium ointment tubes from China carry 6% UK duty, with no duty variation across the listed tube designs. Specify lacquer compatibility and a sealed cap and crimp; for medicinal contents, MHRA approves packaging and labelling information. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium ointment tubes.
Duty on empty aluminium ointment tubes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, empty collapsible aluminium ointment tubes fall within heading 7612 under 7612 10 00 00. The supplied tariff record gives 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows different tube designs under the same commodity line.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Official guidance prohibits placing products containing banned fluorinated gases on the Great Britain market. The supplied control note is incomplete, so confirm the applicable requirement and declaration with your customs broker for these empty tubes.
Confirm the construction and empty condition using drawings, samples and the commodity code guide. See the wider aluminium containers guide for neighbouring products. Confirm with your customs broker whether these aluminium containers fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism for imports planned from 1 January 2027; review the UK carbon border adjustment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty collapsible aluminium ointment tubes with screw caps | 7612 10 00 00 | 6% | None |
Lacquer, nozzle and filling-line fit
Specify tube diameter, body length, wall thickness, nozzle opening, thread, cap material, membrane and the open tail needed by your filler. Agree drawing tolerances and an approved sample. Identify the internal lacquer and tail sealant, and trial the actual ointment with the proposed tube before approving production.
For medicinal ointments sold in the UK, MHRA approves packaging and labelling information. Agree artwork with the medicine business before printing. For cosmetic products supplied to consumers in Great Britain, safety must be checked by a qualified safety assessor before sale. Ask the assessor what tube and lacquer information they need.
Check whether your business has packaging producer obligations: official guidance requires businesses to check their status and producers to assess the packaging they supply or import. Keep tube, cap and transit-packaging weights available for that assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order, not a quotation: 30,000 empty printed aluminium ointment tubes under 7612 10 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,000. Duty at 6% is £1,980. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,980, so it is £6,996. Import taxes total £8,976; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,980 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: compare body, shoulder, nozzle and thread with the approved drawing; trial production tubes on the filler and tail-closing equipment.
Lacquer: check coverage and porosity, then squeeze and fold samples for flaking or shoulder cracks. Review storage trials with the actual ointment.
Closure: check cap fit, membrane integrity and leakage after filling and crimping. Repeat opening, closing and dispensing with approved samples.
Print and cleanliness: compare artwork and batch-marking space with the approved proof; inspect interiors for particles and cartons for crushed tubes. Use the inspection guide to agree checks before shipment and on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A tube can look acceptable while its lacquer has pores or flakes during squeezing. An incompatible ointment can attack the lining or aluminium during storage. Shoulder cracks, damaged threads and a poor tail crimp can cause leaks after filling. A cap that fits a hand sample may still perform poorly on the filling line.
Avoid approving tubes from appearance alone. Retain samples from the inspected batch, compare incoming cartons with the approved specification, and repeat filling and leak trials before releasing stock to production. Record any proposed lacquer, cap or sealant change for buyer review.
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 ointment tubes from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 6% for empty collapsible tubes under 7612 10 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Does this guide cover tubes already filled with ointment?
It covers empty tubes. For filled products, confirm the commodity code and the requirements for the contents before ordering.
How do I check the internal lacquer?
Identify the lacquer, check coverage and porosity, and run storage and squeeze trials with the actual ointment. Agree acceptance criteria with your filler.
Can the factory choose the medicine tube artwork?
MHRA approves packaging and labelling information for medicines sold in the UK. Give the factory artwork agreed with the medicine business before printing.