Sourcing brass tubes from China

Brass tube duty: 4%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7411 covers copper tubes and pipes. Its brass lines cover copper-zinc base alloys: straight tubes under 7411 21 10 00 and other tubes under 7411 21 90 00. These are the only brass-specific lines in the supplied tariff record.

Both brass lines carry 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control for either line. For the wider product family, see our copper tubes and pipes guide.

Confirm the alloy and supplied form before choosing the commodity code. Copper and brass pipe fittings belong under heading 7412, as explained in our pipe fittings guide.

Specify the brass alloy, wall and temper

Specify the alloy designation and composition, including lead content, rather than accepting a description such as yellow brass. State outside diameter, wall thickness, length, dimensional tolerances, temper, straightness, surface finish and end condition. Tell the factory whether the tube will be machined, bent, polished or used to carry water.

For drinking-water use, confirm applicable material quality and standard requirements with the local water company or Water Regs UK. Ask for evidence matching the actual alloy and intended application. For questions about compliance with water fittings regulations, contact the local water company or Water Regs UK.

UK REACH Candidate List substances bring obligations for suppliers. Obtain composition information for the alloy and any coating, then check the applicable supplier duties. Agree how mill certificates and test samples will be matched to each delivered batch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 tonnes of straight brass tube for a machining business, illustrative only under 7411 21 10 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 4% is £912. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,712, so it is £4,742.40. Import taxes total £5,654.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £912 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Material: match the mill certificate to batch markings and the ordered alloy; arrange composition and hardness checks where the application warrants them.

Dimensions: measure outside diameter and wall thickness at several positions; check ovality, straightness and cut length against the drawing.

Forming and finish: trial the intended bend or machining operation; inspect for cracks, scratches, dents and burrs at cut ends.

Packing: check that bundles are supported against bending, polished surfaces are separated and tube interiors are clean. Record arrival condition using the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A sample can look right while its alloy or temper differs from the production batch. Thin or uneven walls affect fit and machining allowance; unsuitable temper can cause cracking during bending. Scratches and bundle dents can make decorative tube unusable even when its composition is correct.

Agree acceptance criteria before production and inspect against the drawing and batch records. For water-carrying applications, obtain evidence for the intended use before accepting a supplier's general suitability claim.

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.