Sourcing aluminium scrap from China
Aluminium waste and scrap from China, turnings, factory rejects and scrap, pays 0% UK duty on all three lines of heading 7602. Every line carries the waste import control, and scrap that has ceased to be waste needs a statement of conformity with the end-of-waste criteria for each consignment. Heading 7602 is not on the GOV.UK list of aluminium goods in scope of UK CBAM.
0% duty and the waste controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7602 covers aluminium waste and scrap, split into turnings and similar waste, other waste including factory rejects, and scrap. All three lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Every line carries the waste import control. Material that is still waste needs the information document for non-hazardous green-list waste, or prior written notification and consent for notifiable waste, arranged before it leaves China; material that is not waste clears on a declaration.
The scrap line also carries a second control: aluminium scrap that has ceased to be waste must travel with a statement of conformity with the end-of-waste criteria in retained Regulation (EU) No 333/2011, issued for each consignment. The GOV.UK list of aluminium goods in scope of UK CBAM covers 7601, 7603 to 7614 and 7616, so heading 7602 is outside CBAM; see our UK CBAM guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium turnings, shavings, chips, milling waste and filings | 7602 00 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Other aluminium waste, including factory rejects | 7602 00 19 00 | 0% | None |
| Aluminium scrap | 7602 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying scrap
Specify the alloy family or grade, form (extrusion scrap, sheet clippings, turnings, cast scrap), contamination limits (oil, paint, plastics, iron and other metals), moisture for turnings, and baling. Agree sampling, the analysis method and how contamination is deducted.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of 6063 extrusion scrap under 7602 00 90 00, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,800, so it is £6,760. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Grade: sample and analyse alloy composition.
Contamination: check for oil, plastics, iron and other metals.
Documents: check the waste declaration or documents and the end-of-waste statement before loading. See our quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
Aluminium scrap deals fail on grade, contamination and paperwork. Mixed alloys arrive as a single grade, turnings carry oil and moisture, and shipments are held for missing waste or end-of-waste documents.
Cambridge China Bridge sources metals for UK foundries and recyclers with assay and weighing agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aluminium scrap from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all three lines of heading 7602 carried 0% from China.
Is aluminium scrap in scope of UK CBAM?
No. The GOV.UK CBAM aluminium list covers 7601, 7603 to 7614 and 7616, not 7602.
What is an end-of-waste statement?
A statement of conformity with retained Regulation (EU) No 333/2011, required for each consignment of scrap that has ceased to be waste.
Do aluminium turnings need waste documents?
If they are waste, yes: the green-list information document or, for notifiable waste, notification and consent.