Sourcing brass-coated steel tyre wire from China
Brass-coated steel tyre cord wire from China has listed UK duty of 0% to 50%, depending on carbon content and coating classification. Confirm that the goods are single wire rather than finished stranded cord, and match the mill chemistry to the commodity code. Cambridge China Bridge sources brass-coated steel tyre cord wire.
Carbon content and coating determine the duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7217 covers wire of iron or non-alloy steel. This guide concerns brass-coated single wire for making tyre reinforcement cord. Finished stranded wire belongs to heading 7312. The table includes a copper-coated comparison line, not an alternative description for brass coating. For the wider wire family, see steel tyre bead wire.
The supplied snapshot lists 0% for 7217 30 90 00 and 7217 30 49 00, and 50% for 7217 30 50 00 and the copper-coated comparison line. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Other lines under 7217 90 carry waste controls. If waste or scrap is offered, ask your customs broker to confirm the China import requirements. For notified waste entering England, shipment can start only after the relevant authorities consent.
Confirm the commodity code against the coating composition, carbon content and delivery form before ordering. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether and when heading 7217 falls within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism; request mill emissions data when planning later imports. Keep duty and 20% import VAT separate in your landed tax calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base-metal-coated wire, carbon at least 0.6%; main tyre wire candidate | 7217 30 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Base-metal-coated wire, carbon at least 0.25% but below 0.6% | 7217 30 50 00 | 50% | None |
| Other base-metal-coated wire, carbon below 0.25% | 7217 30 49 00 | 0% | None |
| Copper-coated wire, carbon below 0.25%; coating comparison only | 7217 30 41 00 | 50% | None |
Specify brass chemistry and rubber adhesion
Specify the steel grade and carbon content, wire diameter and tolerance, tensile strength, elongation and torsion performance. State brass coating mass and copper-to-zinc composition, surface condition and permitted lubricant residues. Agree test methods and acceptance criteria with the tyre or cord manufacturer rather than accepting a supplier's generic tyre-wire description.
Approve adhesion samples using the intended rubber compound and curing process, including the agreed ageing checks. Specify spool dimensions, winding direction, payout behaviour, permitted joints, moisture protection and batch identification. UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles; ask for coating and surface-treatment composition so your compliance adviser can assess the applicable obligations.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of brass-coated steel tyre cord single wire under 7217 30 90 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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
Chemistry: match heat and spool identifiers to the mill certificate; check steel carbon content and brass composition against the purchase specification.
Mechanical performance: measure diameter along sampled wire and compare tensile, elongation and torsion results with the agreed acceptance criteria.
Coating and adhesion: check coating mass, coverage, contamination and corrosion; compare rubber adhesion results with the approved compound and curing conditions.
Spools and records: inspect winding, flange damage, moisture protection and payout; retain mill-origin and processing records, as customs may request supply-chain evidence at the border.
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What goes wrong
A brass-coloured surface can conceal the wrong coating composition or uneven coverage. Wire can meet tensile requirements yet fail rubber adhesion, especially after ageing. Poor winding, damaged spools and inconsistent lubrication cause payout interruptions. Agree the tests before production and keep approved samples tied to the actual batch.
A supplier may quote finished stranded cord when the buyer expects single wire, or describe brass coating simply as copper coating. This can change the classification and duty. Check the drawing, mill certificate and packing description together, then arrange batch inspection before dispatch.
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 brass-coated tyre cord wire from China?
The supplied snapshot lists 0% for 7217 30 90 00 and 7217 30 49 00, and 50% for 7217 30 50 00. Confirm carbon content and brass coating before selecting the code.
Is brass-coated tyre wire the same as finished steel cord?
Check the delivery form. This guide covers single wire under heading 7217. Finished stranded wire belongs to heading 7312, so a supplier's use of the word cord needs clarification.
What should I test before approving brass-coated tyre wire?
Check diameter, tensile strength, elongation, torsion, brass composition and coating mass. Test rubber adhesion with your intended compound and curing process, including agreed ageing conditions.
What documents should I ask the Chinese wire mill for?
Request batch-linked chemistry and mechanical results, coating and adhesion reports, spool records and mill-origin evidence. Ask for coating composition for UK REACH assessment and emissions data for later imports.