Sourcing aluminium T-section bars from China
Aluminium T-section bars from China carry 6% ordinary UK duty across the relevant lines. Covered extrusions can also attract producer-dependent anti-dumping duty of up to 35.1%. Confirm the section, composition and producer before ordering; a blank remedy field is not proof of exemption. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium T-section bars.
UK duty and the T-section classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7604 covers aluminium bars, rods and profiles. For T-sections, distinguish alloy from non-alloy material and solid from hollow profiles. The table gives candidate profile lines, including the hollow variant only where the drawing specifies a closed chamber. The supplied snapshot records 6% ordinary duty throughout, with no attached import controls.
The snapshot leaves its anti-dumping fields blank. However, the published aluminium extrusion guide and official definitive notice identify an additional measure on covered Chinese extrusions: 35.1% residual duty, 15.4% for listed non-sampled cooperating exporters, and individual producer rates. Missing invoice declarations can trigger the residual amount. The snapshot lists suspensions for narrowly specified hollow profiles and alloy bars or rods; these do not establish relief for ordinary solid T-section profiles.
Ask your customs broker to check the drawing, composition, fabrication and producer against the current code and measure before shipment. Use finding your commodity code and the wider aluminium extrusions guide. The import duty and VAT guide explains the calculation; a worked ordinary-duty illustration must not be treated as the complete landed tax bill.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid aluminium alloy T-section profiles | 7604 29 90 90 | 6% | See the tariff |
| Unassembled non-alloy T-profiles containing not more than 99.3% aluminium | 7604 10 90 80 | 6% | See the tariff |
| Other non-alloy aluminium T-section profiles | 7604 10 90 89 | 6% | See the tariff |
| Hollow aluminium alloy T-shaped profiles, where a closed chamber is specified | 7604 21 00 00 | 6% | See the tariff |
Specify the flange, stem and temper
Send a cross-section drawing showing flange width, overall depth, flange and stem thickness, root radii and whether the stem is centred. Mark mating faces and critical tolerances. Specify alloy, temper, cut length, straightness, twist, end squareness and burr acceptance. State whether the profile is solid or contains a closed chamber, and approve a sample in the actual assembly.
Specify mill finish, anodising or powder coating, including thickness, colour and which faces will remain visible. Agree protective interleaving and end protection. For building applications, ask a testing and certification adviser to check the intended use and applicable product requirements. Where CE marking has been legitimately affixed to a construction product supplied in Great Britain, an additional UKCA mark is not required.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business trial batch of cut aluminium alloy T-section bars; values illustrate FOB and freight only, before any applicable anti-dumping duty under 7604 29 90 90, invoiced at £9,702 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,702. Duty at 6% is £762.12. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,464.12, so it is £2,692.82. Import taxes total £3,454.94; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £762.12 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Section geometry: measure flange width, stem position, thickness and root radii against the approved drawing; trial-fit mating parts.
Length and alignment: check cut length, end squareness, straightness and twist on production lengths, including after unpacking.
Material and finish: match batch certificates to the ordered alloy and temper; check hardness, coating thickness, colour consistency and exposed edges.
Packing and traceability: check interleaving, end protection, bundle identification and batch records. Include these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A nominal T-section can have an off-centre stem, thin flange edges or root radii that prevent a flush fit. Long bars arrive bowed or twisted, cut ends carry burrs, and visible flanges show die lines or scratches. A finish sample alone will not reveal these problems; inspect production lengths and test the actual joint.
Tax assumptions can fail when the supplier's trading name is confused with the producer or the required invoice declaration is absent. Cutting or drilling should not be assumed to remove the extrusion measure. Settle classification and producer evidence alongside the drawing, rather than after the goods have shipped.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aluminium T-section bars from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot records 6% ordinary duty on the relevant lines. Covered Chinese extrusions can also attract anti-dumping duty of up to 35.1%; confirm the producer and invoice declaration.
Which commodity code covers aluminium T-section bars?
7604 29 90 90 is the candidate line for solid alloy profiles. Non-alloy material and profiles with a closed chamber have separate lines. Have your broker confirm the code from the drawing and composition.
What dimensions should I put on a T-section drawing?
Specify flange width, overall depth, stem position, flange and stem thickness, root radii, cut length and tolerances. Identify mating faces and agree straightness, twist and end-squareness checks.
Do CE-marked construction T-sections also need UKCA?
Where CE marking has been legitimately affixed to a construction product supplied in Great Britain, additional UKCA marking is not required. Check the intended use and applicable product requirements before ordering.