Sourcing aluminium takeaway trays from China

UK duty on aluminium takeaway food trays

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7612 covers aluminium containers without mechanical or thermal equipment, of capacity not exceeding 300 litres. Takeaway trays manufactured from foil not exceeding 0.2 mm fall within 7612 90 30 00. Other aluminium containers fall within 7612 90 80 00 where appropriate. The table shows product variants sharing these codes; see the wider aluminium containers guide.

Both relevant lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Official guidance prohibits placing products containing banned fluorinated gases on the Great Britain market. For empty takeaway trays, ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached control should be addressed.

Confirm the finished tray's material, foil thickness and construction through finding your commodity code. Give the broker the specification and samples or photographs, and describe any separately supplied lids. Use the import duty and VAT guide when calculating the landed cost.

Foil gauge, lid closure and food use

Specify the alloy, foil thickness and agreed tolerances, rim dimensions, depth, usable capacity, compartment layout and lid material. State whether closure uses a folded rim or sealing film. Approve trays and lids together, and test them with the intended filled load rather than comparing empty samples alone.

Food trays are food contact materials; ask the relevant food safety authority to confirm any declaration requirements for internal lacquers and the foods they will hold. Official guidance says materials must be demonstrably safe for their application. Ask for the material declaration and migration reports matching the tray, coating and intended use. Describe fatty, acidic or salty foods, contact duration, hot filling, freezing and reheating. See the food-contact evidence guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative wholesale order: 1 million empty aluminium takeaway trays under 7612 90 30 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,000. Duty at 6% is £1,980. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,980, so it is £6,996. Import taxes total £8,976; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,980 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Gauge and rigidity: measure foil thickness at agreed points, compare tray weight with the approved sample and check lifting and stacking with a filled load.

Rim and lid: check dimensions, sharp edges, crimp closure or film sealing, and leakage using the intended food or an agreed test medium.

Surface and coating: look for pinholes, splits, oil residue and coating damage. Compare the supplied coating identity with the specification and supporting reports.

Arrival and packing: check crushed rims, nested trays that will not separate, carton quantities, lid compatibility and batch references. Retain samples and arrange quality inspection against the approved specification.

What goes wrong

Thin foil can buckle when a filled tray is lifted. A changed rim profile can leave existing lids loose, while folds or pinholes can leak. Tight nesting and crushed cartons can make trays difficult to separate. Agree rejection criteria using approved trays and lids before production.

A report for a different coating or food-contact condition does not establish suitability for your intended use. Ask the supplier to identify the tested construction and usage conditions. Test the actual filling, closure and reheating process before approving a repeat order.

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.