Sourcing aluminium-zinc steel coils from China
Aluminium-zinc coated steel coils from China carry 50% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot. Residual trade remedies range from none on other bare coils to 27.90% anti-dumping on the defined chemistry line; painted coils have separate remedies. Match the coating and mill chemistry to the code. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium-zinc coated steel coils.
Duty depends on coating, chemistry and processing
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7210 covers clad, plated or coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel of a width of 600 mm or more. Aluminium-zinc alloy coatings have their own branch; a painted finish can change the classification. For the wider heading, see our zinc-aluminium-magnesium coated steel coil guide.
The supplied snapshot records 50% third-country duty for every row selected here. Code 7210 61 00 20 also carries 27.90% residual anti-dumping duty; 7210 61 00 80 and 7210 61 00 90 show no trade remedy. Painted steel under 7210 70 80 91 carries 13.60% residual anti-dumping and 44.70% residual countervailing duty. These rows show no suspension or attached import control. Confirm any producer-specific treatment with your broker.
Give your broker the mill chemistry, coating composition, finish, width and processing history, rather than relying on the supplier's product name. Use finding your commodity code before ordering and recheck the tariff before declaration. The older published guide describes quota treatment; confirm current eligibility separately rather than assuming that the supplied 50% rate will be reduced.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium-zinc coated coils meeting the specified chemistry and treatment | 7210 61 00 20 | 50% | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
| Other aluminium-zinc coated coils, only surface-treated | 7210 61 00 80 | 50% | None |
| Other aluminium-zinc coated steel, further worked | 7210 61 00 90 | 50% | None |
| Painted aluminium-zinc coated non-alloy steel coils meeting this line's description | 7210 70 80 91 | 50% | 13.60% residual anti-dumping; 44.70% residual countervailing |
Specify the coating and the coil your line can use
Specify the substrate grade, aluminium-zinc coating composition, coating mass and whether the quoted thickness includes the coating. Agree thickness and width tolerances, surface finish, passivation, oiling and any paint system. Ask for coil-linked mill certificates showing chemistry and mechanical properties. Agree a forming trial with your fabricator before accepting a substitute grade or coating.
State coil weight, inner diameter, winding direction and the permitted condition of edges and welds. Match these to your decoiler and lifting arrangements. Specify moisture-resistant wrapping, edge protection and coil identification. For construction supply, check the intended product and use before agreeing conformity documentation; legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied in Great Britain.
Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether these steel lines fall within UK CBAM from 1 January 2027. Ask the mill for emissions data alongside the material documents so that future imports can be assessed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of aluminium-zinc coated steel coils under 7210 61 00 80, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 50% is £10,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,000, so it is £6,000. Import taxes total £16,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £10,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Traceability: match each coil label to the mill certificate, packing list, grade and chemistry; investigate missing or inconsistent coil identities.
Dimensions: measure thickness and width, check edge condition and confirm coil weight and inner diameter against the purchase specification.
Coating: verify the agreed coating mass and finish; inspect for bare patches, scratches, white corrosion and coating damage after a sample bend.
Arrival condition: photograph wrapping, straps and edges before unloading; check for damp packaging, displaced windings and crushed edges. Use quality inspection guidance to agree the inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
A quotation says aluminium-zinc but omits coating composition, coating mass or substrate chemistry. The buyer then receives material that forms differently or supports a different tariff line. Painted coils are costed as bare metallic-coated coils, or damp packing leaves corrosion between windings. Put the agreed specification and certificate requirements into the order.
For sanctions supply-chain checks, supplier declarations may be acceptable, but further evidence can be requested later. Obtain supporting mill and supply-chain documents before shipment and ask your broker to review uncertainties before ordering.
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-zinc steel coils from China?
The supplied snapshot records 50% for the selected lines. Code 7210 61 00 20 adds 27.90% residual anti-dumping; 7210 61 00 80 and 7210 61 00 90 show none. Painted coils have separate remedies.
Are painted aluminium-zinc coils taxed like bare coils?
Do not assume so. For goods matching 7210 70 80 91, the snapshot records 50% duty plus 13.60% residual anti-dumping and 44.70% residual countervailing duty.
What should the mill certificate show?
Ask for the coil identity, substrate grade, chemical composition, mechanical properties and coating information. Match these to the order and the proposed tariff line.
How do I check whether the coils will work on my forming line?
Agree a forming trial using the proposed grade, thickness, coating and surface treatment. Confirm coil weight and inner diameter against your decoiler, and inspect coating damage after bending.