Sourcing aluminium windows from China

Duty on aluminium windows and frames

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 7610 covers aluminium structures and parts, including windows and their frames. Aluminium windows and frames fall under 7610 10 00 00, carrying 6% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. The table shows window types sharing that code.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to this code. Official guidance bans their use in new windows and prohibits placing products containing banned fluorinated gases on the Great Britain market. Ask the factory to identify any glazing fill gas and have your customs broker confirm the declaration requirement for the actual goods.

Confirm classification from drawings and the condition in which the goods arrive using finding your commodity code. Separate profiles need their own assessment; the aluminium extrusions guide covers the wider family and its anti-dumping issues.

Frame, glazing and opening specification

Give the factory a window schedule showing frame dimensions, opening direction, fixed and opening lights, sill details and fixing positions. Specify the alloy and temper, profile wall thickness, thermal-break construction, finish and approved colour sample. Identify the glazing build-up, fill gas, gaskets, drainage paths, hinges, locks and handles.

For sale in Great Britain, CE marking remains available for construction products. On the CE route, manufacturers of products covered by a harmonised standard or with a European Technical Assessment must draw up a declaration of performance. Ask for the declaration and supporting reports for the actual window system, and compare the declared performance with the project's requirements.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a batch of aluminium casement windows for a shop refurbishment under 7610 10 00 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,000. Duty at 6% is £1,380. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,380, so it is £4,876. Import taxes total £6,256; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,380 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Dimensions: measure overall frame size, diagonals and fixing positions against the approved drawings; match each window to its opening reference.

Operation: open and close the sashes, engage every lock, and check hinge fixing, gasket continuity and unobstructed drainage.

Glazing and finish: check glass identification against the order, inspect edge damage and seals, and compare coating colour and thickness with the agreed specification.

Arrival and documents: inspect corners, glass and protective packing before installation; match product identification, declarations and reports to the delivered system. Use quality inspection to agree the checks before shipment.

What goes wrong

Opening directions get reversed, frames arrive out of square, drainage slots are obstructed, and substituted hinges or gaskets change how the sash closes. Glass and coated corners can be damaged in transit. Approve a working sample and labelled window schedule, then check production against both.

A report for a different profile system, glazing build-up or opening arrangement may not support the window ordered. Ask the supplier to explain the connection between each report and the delivered specification before accepting a substitution.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.