Sourcing aluminium scaffold towers from China

Duty on aluminium scaffold towers

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7610 covers aluminium structures and structural parts. The table shows possible lines for towers, attached subassemblies, finished goods kits and other structural parts. These are classification candidates: do not select a code solely because the invoice calls the product a tower.

The listed lines carry 6% duty on goods from China, with no trade remedy, suspension or import control recorded against these selected codes. Separate unassembled, non-welded profiles under 7610 90 90 10 have an anti-dumping measure flagged in the supplied tariff data. The site's published extrusion guide explains the distinction between covered extrusions and exempt structures, subassemblies and finished goods kits.

Give your customs broker the assembly drawings, component list and condition in which the goods will arrive. Confirm the code through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see aluminium stepladders.

Specify the tower configuration

Specify platform dimensions, platform height, overall height, rated load, indoor or outdoor use, alloy and temper, tube wall thickness and the complete component list. Name the frames, braces, decks, trapdoors, guardrails, toeboards, access components, castors and stabilisers included in each configuration. Ask for drawings and test reports matching the actual model and configuration ordered.

HSE says purchased towers should arrive with all components needed to prevent falls and ensure stability. Its guidance also requires reference to the manufacturer's instructions when erecting a tower. Ask for a readable assembly manual showing the ordered configuration, erection sequence, brace positions and permitted height. Compare the manual with a sample assembly before approving production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of complete aluminium scaffold tower kits for a small hire 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

Frames and welds: check tube dimensions against drawings, frame squareness, joint alignment and welds for visible cracks or incomplete seams. Compare material certificates with the agreed alloy and temper.

Connections and castors: assemble sample sections, check brace hooks and locking pins engage fully, and test castor brakes and adjustable legs against the agreed inspection procedure.

Platforms and protection: check deck attachment, trapdoor operation, surface condition and the supplied guardrails, toeboards and stabilisers against the packing list and configuration drawing.

Manual and packing: match model identification to drawings and reports, count components by kit and check protection against bent tubes or damaged decks. Put these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A quoted tower can omit stabilisers, guardrails or access parts shown in its photograph. Platform height can be confused with overall height, while reports may describe a different frame width or deck arrangement. Agree a configuration drawing and packing list rather than buying from a photograph.

Bent frame ends, poorly aligned brace hooks, sticking castor brakes and damaged platform edges can make arrival assembly difficult. Loose profiles shipped separately can also raise a different duty question from a finished kit. Resolve component substitutions and shipment format before dispatch.

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.