Sourcing bright-annealed sheet from China
Bright-annealed stainless steel sheet from China carries 0% UK duty across the listed cold-rolled lines, with no trade remedy shown in the supplied tariff facts. Classify by width, thickness, nickel content and processing, rather than the finish name alone. Cambridge China Bridge sources bright-annealed stainless steel sheet.
Duty on bright-annealed stainless sheet
Heading 7219 covers stainless steel flat-rolled products at least 600 mm wide. This guide focuses on bright-annealed sheet within the cold-rolled product family. The table distinguishes thickness, nickel content and consignment route; a finish description alone does not identify the commodity line. See the wider stainless steel sheet and coil guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the listed lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel trade measure, suspension or attached import control on these lines. Confirm the commodity code against the actual dimensions, composition, processing and country of consignment before shipment.
Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether these cold-rolled stainless lines fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027. Ask the mill for emissions data when preparing future orders and consult the UK carbon border adjustment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-rolled sheet, over 1 mm but under 3 mm, nickel at least 2.5% | 7219 33 10 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled sheet, over 1 mm but under 3 mm, nickel below 2.5% | 7219 33 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled sheet, 0.5 mm to 1 mm inclusive, nickel at least 2.5% | 7219 34 10 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled sheet, 0.5 mm to 1 mm inclusive, nickel below 2.5% | 7219 34 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled sheet, under 0.5 mm, nickel at least 2.5% | 7219 35 10 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled sheet, under 0.5 mm, nickel at least 2.5%, via Taiwan or Vietnam | 7219 35 10 10 | 0% | None |
Specify the bright surface and sheet condition
Write down the grade, thickness and tolerance, width, length, flatness and edge condition. Order bright-annealed sheet explicitly and agree a physical finish sample. State which face will remain visible after fabrication and whether both faces need the same appearance. Define acceptable scratches, roll marks and staining against that sample.
Specify protective film, its removal conditions, sheet separation and edge protection. Trial a sample through your intended cutting or bending process before approving production. Ask for mill certificates with chemical and mechanical results for each heat, and retain the approved surface sample for comparison with the delivered batch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 tonne of bright-annealed stainless steel sheet; FOB and freight figures are illustrative, not a quotation under 7219 34 10 90, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,500, so it is £1,100. 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
Grade and traceability: match sheet or bundle heat numbers to mill certificates and check the declared chemistry against the ordered grade. Test samples when substitution would affect the application.
Surface consistency: compare sheets with the approved sample under consistent lighting. Peel back protective film on sampled sheets to check scratches, roll marks, staining and adhesive residue.
Dimensions and flatness: measure thickness at several positions, check width and length, and inspect sheets on a suitable flat surface. Compare results with the agreed tolerances.
Packing and handling: check dry wrapping, sheet separation, edge protection and support beneath the stack. Record arrival damage before unpacking and use the inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
A supplier approves an attractive sample but delivers sheets with inconsistent brightness or visible roll marks. Protective film hides scratches, and handling damage appears only after peeling. Similar-looking grades can also be substituted. Keep finish approval separate from grade verification and agree how defective sheets will be identified and resolved.
Supply-chain origin also matters: UK sanctions can prohibit certain Russian iron and steel processed in China. Traders should be prepared to provide verifiable supply-chain documentation. Ask for origin and processing records alongside the mill certificate, and refer any affected order to your customs broker before purchase.
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 bright-annealed stainless steel sheet from China?
The listed cold-rolled lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff records read on 1 October 2026, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. Confirm the exact line for your sheet.
Does bright-annealed finish identify the commodity code?
No. Check width, thickness, nickel content, processing and consignment route. The table concerns heading 7219 products at least 600 mm wide.
How do I check the finish before accepting delivery?
Compare sampled sheets with the approved physical sample under consistent lighting. Peel back film to inspect the visible face for scratches, roll marks, staining and adhesive residue.
What documents should I request from the mill?
Request heat-linked mill certificates with chemical and mechanical results, plus origin and processing records for supply-chain checks. Match the certificates to the delivered sheet or bundle identifiers.