Sourcing beryllium copper strip from China

0% duty on beryllium copper strip

Heading 7409 covers copper plates, sheets and strip more than 0.15 mm thick. Beryllium copper strip falls within the other copper alloys line, 7409 90 00 00. The table shows purchasing forms sharing that code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Copper foil of 0.15 mm or less falls under heading 7410.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China under 7409 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The suspensions elsewhere in this heading concern refined copper products, rather than this alloy line.

Confirm composition, thickness and supplied form before declaring the commodity code. For related strip within the wider heading, see our phosphor bronze strip guide. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.

Specify alloy and heat-treatment condition

State the alloy designation and required composition, including beryllium content. Specify whether strip is supplied for subsequent forming and ageing or already age-hardened. Agree hardness, conductivity and the intended forming trial. Record thickness, width, tolerances, camber, edge burr, coil inner diameter, winding direction and permitted joints. Request a mill certificate linked to each batch.

Ask for handling and processing information alongside the material certificate. HSE warns that working with beryllium and its compounds may affect health. Employers must plan, manage and monitor hazardous substances under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health rules. Plan the intended cutting, grinding and heating operations before accepting the material.

If importing a substance for the first time, consider whether UK REACH registration is required. Ask a chemical compliance adviser to assess the supplied material rather than relying on a general supplier statement.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of beryllium copper strip in coils under 7409 90 00 00, invoiced at £105,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £105,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £105,800, so it is £21,160. 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

Identity: match coil labels and batch references to the mill certificate; verify composition against the ordered alloy.

Condition: check hardness and conductivity against the agreed supplied condition; trial forming and subsequent ageing where specified.

Dimensions: measure thickness across the width, strip width, camber and slit-edge burr; inspect winding and any joints.

Surface and packing: check scratches, oxidation, edge damage and loose winding; confirm dry protective wrapping and readable batch labels.

What goes wrong

A certificate stating only copper alloy leaves the beryllium grade unresolved. Incorrect supplied condition can cause cracking during forming or unsuitable spring behaviour after heat treatment. Excessive camber disrupts strip feeding, while burrs and scratches carry through into stamped contacts.

Approve a forming trial using the intended production process, retain an agreed sample and compare incoming batches with it. Investigate mismatched certificates or test results before releasing stock. Use our quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.

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.