Sourcing aluminium pipe fittings from China
Aluminium tube or pipe fittings from China, such as couplings, elbows, tees, sleeves and connection blocks for compressed air, refrigerant and fluid lines, pay 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. They are bought on alloy and temper, thread or push-fit standard, pressure rating and seals, and fittings in pressure systems may need pressure equipment evidence.
Aluminium tube and pipe fittings, couplings, elbows, tees and connection blocks from China pay 4% UK duty. Alloy, threads, pressure rating and inspection.
4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, aluminium tube or pipe fittings (for example, couplings, elbows, sleeves), heading 7609, carried 4% on goods from China on every line, including the listed automotive air conditioning and heat exchanger connection blocks, with no anti-dumping measure. Fittings for certain aircraft can be suspended to 0% under authorised use.
Aluminium tubes themselves are under heading 7608, and valves and taps under 8481, so confirm the commodity code. Steel and copper fittings are covered in our steel pipe fittings guide and copper and brass fittings guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium connecting blocks for automotive air conditioning (listed specification) | 7609 00 00 30 | 4% | None |
| Machined aluminium components (listed specification) | 7609 00 00 50 | 4% | None |
| Other aluminium tube or pipe fittings | 7609 00 00 90 | 4% | None |
Pressure and materials
Fittings used in compressed air, gas or refrigerant piping can fall under the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 as part of the piping, depending on the fluid, pressure and size, so agree the pressure rating and any conformity evidence with the system designer. Refrigerant fittings must suit the refrigerant and its pressures.
Ask for the alloy and temper on a mill certificate, the thread form (BSP, NPT or metric), seal material, and a pressure test report for each batch.
Specifying fittings
Specify tube outside diameter and wall, fitting type, connection method (thread, push-fit, compression, brazed), alloy and temper, working and burst pressure, temperature range, seal material, anodising or coating, and marking and packing.
Worked duty example
For a made-up shipment of 8,000 aluminium compressed-air pipe fittings under 7609 00 00 90, add the £1,200 of freight and insurance to the £24,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £25,200. At 4%, duty on these aluminium fittings is £1,008; import VAT of £5,241.60 is 20% of the value with duty added. Together that is £6,249.60, but a VAT-registered importer usually gets the VAT back. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions and threads: check bore, outside diameter and thread gauges on samples from each size, and fit fittings to your tube.
Pressure and leaks: pressure test samples to the agreed test pressure and check for leaks at seals and threads.
Finish and documents: check anodising and burrs, and the mill certificates and pressure test reports, before shipment.
What goes wrong
Aluminium fitting orders fail on alloy, threads and seals. A softer alloy is substituted and threads strip, thread forms do not match the system, O-rings are the wrong material and leak, castings are porous, and burrs block small bores.
Specify alloy and threads, pressure test samples, and check mill certificates. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium pipe fittings for UK compressed air, HVAC and automotive suppliers, checking the maker's machining and test equipment first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aluminium pipe fittings from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, aluminium tube or pipe fittings (7609 00 00 90) carried 4% from China.
Is there anti-dumping duty?
No. Heading 7609 had no UK anti-dumping measure on 27 September 2026.
Do compressed air fittings need pressure evidence?
They can fall under the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 as part of the piping, depending on pressure and size.
What should be tested?
Dimensions, thread gauges, a pressure test for leaks, and mill certificates for the alloy.