Sourcing brass compression fittings from China

UK duty on brass compression fittings

Heading 7412 covers copper tube or pipe fittings. Brass compression fittings fall within the copper-alloy line, 7412 20 00 00. The table shows different fitting shapes under that same commodity code.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the copper-alloy line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.

Confirm the material and function before choosing the commodity code. For the wider product family, see copper and brass pipe fittings.

Specify the body, nut and compression olive

Specify fitting shape, tube outside diameter, body dimensions, olive material, nut and thread details, pressure rating and intended service. Agree the alloy designation, lead-content limit and whether water chemistry calls for dezincification-resistant brass. Require a material test report for each batch.

For drinking-water use in England and Wales, confirm the applicable Water Fittings Regulations requirements for quality, standard and suitability with the local water company or Water Regs UK. Agree the named compression-fitting standard and the approval or test evidence your merchant needs for the exact range. For questions about compliance, contact the local water company or Water Regs UK.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative stock order for a plumbing merchant: 8 tonnes of mixed brass compression fittings under 7412 20 00 00, invoiced at £52,000 free on board, with £2,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £54,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £54,600, so it is £10,920. 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

Material: match batch reports to the ordered alloy and test lead content and dezincification resistance where specified.

Dimensions: gauge bores and threads, measure olives and check that nuts assemble freely on the ordered bodies.

Leaks: assemble samples with the intended tube and olives, follow the agreed tightening instructions and pressure-test against the purchase specification.

Arrival: check maker markings, matching bodies, nuts and olives, and damage to threads or tube entries. Sample each size using the agreed inspection plan.

What goes wrong

An olive or body made out of tolerance can leak after tightening. Damaged threads prevent assembly, and ordinary brass substituted for ordered dezincification-resistant brass can weaken in aggressive water. Lead content above the agreed limit can fail the buyer's acceptance test.

Keep an approved assembled sample and drawings for each size. Compare arrival samples with them, trace suspect fittings to their batch and investigate failures before releasing the affected stock.

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.