Sourcing brass shim strip from China

Brass shim strip duty and classification

Heading 7409 covers copper plates, sheets and strip exceeding 0.15 mm in thickness. Brass is a copper-zinc alloy. Brass strip in coils uses 7409 21 00 00; other brass strip uses 7409 29 00 00. The table repeats these codes for different buying forms. See the wider copper and brass sheet and strip guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, both brass codes carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff extract lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for either brass line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT.

The name 'shim strip' does not determine classification. Copper alloy material of 0.15 mm or less falls under heading 7410. Give your customs broker the composition, thickness and supply form, and confirm the commodity code before shipment.

Specify gauge, temper and slit edges

State the brass alloy designation, temper, nominal thickness and permitted thickness variation. Specify width, straight length or coil weight and inner diameter, flatness, camber and edge condition. Agree whether the strip must lie flat after uncoiling and whether it will be cut, punched or bent in your workshop.

Request a mill certificate tied to the supplied batch and retain an approved sample. For leaded brass or plated strip, request a supplier statement on restricted substances under UK REACH. REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on placing substances on the market or using them. Check the declared composition and finish against the intended application.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: assorted brass shim strip coils for a repair workshop under 7409 21 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,300, so it is £660. 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 labels to the mill certificate and ordered alloy and temper; test composition and hardness where the application is critical.

Gauge: measure thickness across the width and along sample lengths, away from raised edges; compare readings with the agreed tolerance.

Edges and shape: check slit-edge burrs, width, camber and flatness after uncoiling; trial-cut a sample using your intended process.

Surface and packing: check for tarnish, scratches, oil residue and damaged coil edges; inspect moisture protection and separation between flat lengths.

What goes wrong

Strip at the thin end of the tolerance can leave a shim stack short of its intended thickness. Edge burrs can create misleading thickness readings or prevent full contact. The wrong temper can make cutting or bending difficult, while coil set can leave loose strips curled.

Put measurable acceptance criteria in the order and check production samples against the retained sample. Keep suspect batches separate until you have checked gauge, material and edge condition. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

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.