Sourcing brass threaded standoffs from China

UK duty on brass threaded standoffs

Heading 7415 covers copper and copper alloy fasteners, including screws, bolts, nuts and other threaded articles. For brass threaded standoffs, confirm whether the drawing fits screws, bolts and nuts or other threaded articles. The table also covers companion brass washers and unthreaded spacers; specify these separately from the standoffs.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, every supplied line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. These tariff findings do not establish compliance for the finished application.

Confirm the commodity code using the alloy, construction and drawing before shipping. Brass-plated steel fasteners have a different classification from solid brass. For related products within the heading, see our brass threaded inserts guide.

Specify the thread ends and installed gap

State whether the standoff has internal threads at both ends, an internal thread and an external stud, or external threads at both ends. Define body length separately from stud length, usable internal thread depth, thread system and pitch, hexagonal width or round diameter, chamfers and finish. Send a drawing showing the faces that set the installed gap.

Specify the brass alloy and composition limits rather than accepting a colour description. For consumer applications, ask for evidence against applicable UK REACH lead restrictions. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. Agree sample assembly checks using the intended screws, board and enclosure, including tightening torque and clearance from nearby conductive parts.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business batch of hexagonal brass threaded standoffs under 7415 39 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,900, so it is £980. 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

Threads: check internal and external threads with go and no-go gauges, then verify usable engagement depth with the intended mating fastener.

Geometry: measure body length, stud projection and wrenching dimensions; check that mating faces sit squarely and the installed gap matches the drawing.

Material and finish: compare the material certificate and sample analysis with the ordered alloy; inspect cut samples for plated steel, and check burrs, plating build-up and machining residue.

Assembly and packing: tighten samples to the agreed torque, inspect for stripped threads or cracks, and check that cartons separate similar-looking lengths and thread arrangements. See our quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A screw can bottom out in a shallow blind hole before the assembly clamps. Burrs or plating inside the thread can cause binding, while the wrong pitch may appear to fit before damaging the mating screw. Uneven end faces tilt the supported board, and mixed body lengths change its clearance from the enclosure.

Alloy substitution can leave threads or stud roots prone to damage during tightening. Approve a drawing and assembled sample, then check production against both. Keep body length, stud length and usable thread depth as separate inspection entries so an overall-length check does not hide a functional mismatch.

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.