Sourcing Aluminium Pergola Kits from China
Aluminium pergola kits from China carry 6% ordinary UK duty across the relevant lines. A finished goods kit must contain the parts needed for assembly without further finishing or fabrication; loose profiles can carry anti-dumping duty. Confirm the construction-product compliance route before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium pergola kits.
Duty and the finished goods kit distinction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 7610 covers aluminium structures and prepared structural parts. Complete pergola kits are candidates for 7610 90 90 92 when the package contains the necessary parts to assemble the finished product without further finishing or fabrication. Joined subassemblies and separately supplied structural profiles have different lines.
The relevant lines all show 6% ordinary duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no suspension or attached import control on these lines, and no trade remedy on the finished-kit, subassembly or other-parts lines. It flags anti-dumping on 7610 90 90 10 without a rate. The published extrusion guide explains that finished goods kits are exempt from that extrusion measure, while qualifying loose extrusions can attract additional duty.
Confirm the shipment's contents and condition using finding your commodity code, rather than accepting a supplier's kit description. For wider heading coverage, see aluminium balustrade systems.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete aluminium pergola kits requiring no further fabrication | 7610 90 90 92 | 6% | None |
| Aluminium pergola subassemblies joined by welding or fasteners | 7610 90 90 91 | 6% | None |
| Unassembled, unwelded aluminium profiles and tubes for pergola structures | 7610 90 90 10 | 6% | See the tariff |
| Other prepared aluminium pergola structural parts | 7610 90 90 95 | 6% | None |
Specify the frame, roof and installation conditions
Agree the footprint, clear height, post positions, wall-mounted or freestanding arrangement, alloy, temper, profile wall thickness and coating sample. Give the supplier the intended installation location and ask for structural calculations covering the proposed frame, roof, connections and anchoring. Record the wind and snow assumptions and the supporting surface for each anchor.
Specify fixed or opening roof blades, blade overlap, seals, gutters and the drainage route through the posts. Agree the complete parts list, hole positions, fasteners, installation drawings and replacement parts. For this guide's base order, specify a manually operated kit; assess motors, lighting and controls separately if added.
Before sale in Great Britain, establish whether a designated construction-product standard or technical assessment covers the kit and agree the evidence for the applicable route. CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied where EU requirements are met; UKCA-marked products must meet UK requirements, including assessment by a UK approved body where required. Use testing and certification support to define the scope.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of complete aluminium pergola kits for a small installation business under 7610 90 90 92, 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
Fit: trial-assemble production parts before shipment; check post alignment, beam joints, blade movement, hole positions and the match between anchors and installation drawings.
Water: test roof closure and drainage against the agreed specification; check gutter joints, seals and post outlets for leaks or trapped water.
Materials: compare certificates with the ordered alloy and temper, measure profile walls and coating thickness, and compare colour and surface condition with the approved sample.
Arrival: reconcile labelled packs with the parts list; photograph crushed beam ends, scratched coatings and missing fasteners before assembly. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
What goes wrong
A catalogue load claim may refer to a different span, roof arrangement or anchoring surface. Ask for evidence matching the ordered configuration. If there is reason to believe a construction product does not comply with the applicable requirements, the importer must not supply it to the Great Britain market.
Misaligned holes make assembly difficult, roof blades catch, poorly sealed gutters leak and unprotected profiles arrive scratched. A supposed complete kit may also need cutting or drilling on arrival. Resolve these defects and the classification implications before approving 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 pergola kits from China?
The relevant heading 7610 lines show 6% ordinary duty. The finished goods kit line has no trade remedy listed in the supplied snapshot; loose structural profiles can carry anti-dumping duty.
Which commodity code covers a complete pergola kit?
7610 90 90 92 is a candidate where all necessary parts are packaged for assembly without further finishing or fabrication. Confirm the actual shipment with your customs broker.
Does an aluminium pergola need UKCA marking?
Check the applicable construction-product route first. CE remains accepted in Great Britain where EU requirements are met; UKCA is also available subject to UK requirements.
What should I ask the factory to test?
Ask for a production trial assembly, roof-operation and drainage checks, material and coating measurements, and structural evidence matching the ordered frame and anchors.