Sourcing black annealed steel tie wire from China
Black annealed steel tie wire from China carries a recorded 50% duty on uncoated lines of heading 7217; the published steel measure allows 0% where quota is available. Classify by carbon content, diameter and surface, and confirm quota before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources black annealed steel tie wire.
Uncoated wire: recorded duty and quota access
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7217 covers wire of iron or non-alloy steel. Smooth, uncoated black annealed tie wire containing less than 0.25% carbon falls within 7217 10 10 00 or 7217 10 39 00 according to its maximum cross-sectional dimension. The table includes deformed and medium-carbon wire as classification comparisons, rather than substitutes for an agreed smooth low-carbon product.
The supplied tariff record gives all these uncoated lines a 50% third-country duty for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The site's published steel-wire guide describes 0% access through the quarterly residual quota. Confirm availability and eligibility with your broker before relying on that rate. Other lines in this heading attach waste controls: notified waste from China entering England needs consent from the dispatch, destination and transit authorities before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the material certificate, diameter and actual surface condition. Ask HMRC or your customs broker to confirm whether these steel-wire lines fall within the carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027; request supplier emissions information and check the UK carbon border adjustment guide. For the zinc-coated alternative elsewhere in this heading, see galvanised fencing wire.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated low-carbon wire, under 0.8 mm | 7217 10 10 00 | 50% | None |
| Uncoated low-carbon wire, 0.8 mm or more, without rolled deformations | 7217 10 39 00 | 50% | None |
| Uncoated low-carbon wire with rolled deformations, classification comparison | 7217 10 31 00 | 50% | None |
| Uncoated medium-carbon wire, classification comparison | 7217 10 50 00 | 50% | None |
Specify softness, diameter and coil format
Specify low-carbon steel, black annealed condition, diameter and tolerance, tensile strength and the intended tying method. Approve a sample by bending and twisting it with the tools used on site. Record acceptable springback, breakage and surface residue. A black appearance alone does not demonstrate an annealed condition.
State coil net weight, inner and outer diameter, winding direction and packaging. Agree whether the wire is supplied dry or with protective oil, and test whether residue affects handling. Specify protection against moisture during transport and storage. Include batch identification and a material certificate linked to the delivered coils.
For supply as a construction product, check the intended use against designated standards and any technical assessment before agreeing marking or performance documents. Official guidance says products outside, or only partly covered by, a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of coiled black annealed steel tie wire under 7217 10 39 00, 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
Diameter and material: measure wire along sampled coils and compare the readings with the agreed tolerance. Match carbon content and batch identification to the material certificate.
Softness and tying: bend and twist samples using the buyer's tools. Compare springback and breakage with the approved sample and check the agreed tensile results.
Surface and packing: inspect for rust, loose scale, sharp defects and excessive oil. Open representative packs to check moisture protection and concealed corrosion.
Coils and weight: weigh coils against the declared net weight, measure coil dimensions and unwind samples to check tangles, buried ends and compatibility with dispensers.
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What goes wrong
Uneven annealing leaves stiff sections that resist twisting or break during tying. Undersized wire reduces delivered weight and changes handling. Loose winding causes tangles, while damp packing leaves rusty inner turns even when the outside looks acceptable. Record these findings by batch before releasing stock.
Do not accept a galvanised-wire declaration for an uncoated black annealed shipment. Check the actual finish and quota position with the broker, and budget from the recorded 50% rate until a quota claim is confirmed. For landed-cost calculations, see UK import duty and VAT. If a supplier proposes scrap or discarded wire, confirm the tariff's waste-control requirements with the broker before shipment.
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 black annealed tie wire from China?
The supplied tariff record gives uncoated lines 50%. The published reference describes 0% where the steel quota is available. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded; confirm quota access with your broker.
Which commodity code covers black annealed tie wire?
For smooth uncoated wire below 0.25% carbon, use 7217 10 10 00 below 0.8 mm maximum cross-sectional dimension, or 7217 10 39 00 at 0.8 mm or more. Confirm the certificate and actual finish.
How do I check whether black annealed tie wire is soft enough?
Approve a sample using your tying tools. Compare bend, twist, springback and breakage on delivered batches, alongside diameter and agreed tensile results. Colour alone does not establish softness.
Does black annealed tie wire need CE or UKCA marking?
Do not assume a marking requirement from heading 7217. Ask a compliance adviser to check the intended construction use, designated standards and any technical assessment before agreeing marking or performance documents.