Sourcing aluminium footbridges from China
Aluminium pedestrian bridges and bridge-sections from China carry 6% UK duty; the selected structural lines also carry 6%, with possible extra duty on loose extrusions. Confirm construction-product conformity and the site-specific design before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium pedestrian bridges.
Duty on aluminium pedestrian bridges
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 7610 covers aluminium structures and structural parts, including bridges and bridge-sections. The specific bridge line is 7610 90 10 00. The other table rows concern separately supplied structural goods; they are not alternative codes to choose simply because a bridge arrives dismantled.
The supplied tariff record shows 6% duty on every selected line for goods from China, with no listed suspension. It lists no trade remedy or import control on the bridge line. Loose, unwelded structural extrusions have an anti-dumping entry without a rate in the record: confirm the applicable measure before ordering. Elsewhere in the heading, the door and window line carries a fluorinated greenhouse gas control; if supplying those goods separately, confirm the requirement with your customs broker.
Give your broker drawings, the packing list and the assembly condition to confirm the commodity code. The aluminium balustrade systems guide covers a related product family within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium bridges and bridge-sections | 7610 90 10 00 | 6% | None |
| Other aluminium structural subassemblies, subject to classification | 7610 90 90 91 | 6% | None |
| Other aluminium structural finished goods kits, subject to classification | 7610 90 90 92 | 6% | None |
| Unassembled, unwelded aluminium structural profiles and tubes | 7610 90 90 10 | 6% | See the tariff |
Specify the span, deck and connections
Have the project engineer define the clear span, usable deck width, pedestrian loading, deflection and vibration criteria, support reactions and bearing arrangement. State whether maintenance vehicles can enter. Agree who designs the bridge, foundations and connections, and obtain calculations and installation drawings before approving fabrication.
Specify alloy and temper, member sections, weld details, bolt materials, deck drainage, wet-surface grip, parapet geometry and the finish. Request a declaration of performance and assessment documents matched to the actual product and intended use. Confirm the construction-product assessment route with a specialist. Where CE marking has been legitimately affixed, the product can continue to be supplied to the Great Britain market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of aluminium pedestrian bridge sections for a landscaping contractor under 7610 90 10 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £63,000. Duty at 6% is £3,780. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £66,780, so it is £13,356. Import taxes total £17,136; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,780 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Geometry: measure bridge-section length, diagonals, bearing positions and connection holes against approved drawings; trial-assemble adjoining sections before shipment.
Materials and joints: match material certificates to member markings, inspect welds against the agreed acceptance criteria and reconcile bolts, bearings and connection plates with the parts list.
Deck and parapets: check deck fixing, drainage paths, surface grip evidence, handrail continuity and sharp edges; compare parapet details with the approved design.
Arrival: check transport distortion, coating damage, protected bearing surfaces and labelled lifting points; record missing hardware and damage before releasing sections for installation.
What goes wrong
A catalogue bridge can look suitable while its calculations assume different loads, supports or exposure. Approval should cover the actual site and fabricated drawings. A conformity mark does not resolve mismatched bearing positions, an omitted maintenance-vehicle load or a deck surface unsuitable for wet use.
Common purchasing failures include incompatible hole patterns, undocumented alloy substitutions, distorted welded sections and loose hardware packed without identification. Specify a factory trial assembly and a packing plan that protects connections and finishes. Agree the evidence needed to accept repairs before shipment.
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 pedestrian bridges from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 6% for bridges and bridge-sections under 7610 90 10 00, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. Loose structural extrusions require a separate anti-dumping check.
Can a Chinese aluminium bridge use CE marking in Great Britain?
Where CE marking has been legitimately affixed, the product can continue to be supplied to the Great Britain market. Check the assessment documents against the bridge supplied and its intended use.
What drawings should I send the bridge factory?
Send the engineer-approved span, deck width, loads, support reactions, bearings, connections and parapet details. Identify maintenance-vehicle access and agree responsibility for foundations and installation design.
What should I check before the bridge ships?
Check material traceability, weld inspection records, dimensional results, trial assembly, deck fixing and the complete hardware list. Approve packing that protects bearing surfaces and prevents section distortion.