Sourcing cast iron radiant tubes from China
Cast iron radiant tubes classified under heading 7303 carry 0% UK duty across the supplied lines for China. Suppliers must supply safe work equipment; agree the casting grade and furnace operating conditions before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources cast iron radiant tubes.
UK duty on cast iron radiant tubes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 7303 covers tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of cast iron. Every supplied commodity line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is normally 20%.
The table distinguishes material, coating and pressure-system descriptions; these are alternatives to check against the actual tube, rather than interchangeable declarations. Give your broker the drawing, material specification, coating details and intended function. Confirm the code using finding your commodity code. For related products within the heading, see cast iron gilled tubes.
Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether heading 7303 falls within the iron and steel scope of the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism and when any obligations would apply to your imports. Ask the foundry for production and emissions information before agreeing supply. Read the UK carbon border adjustment guide and the import duty and VAT guide when preparing your landed-cost calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other cast iron tubes and hollow profiles, outside the pressure-system branch | 7303 00 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Other cast iron tubes and pipes of a kind used in pressure systems | 7303 00 10 90 | 0% | None |
| Other ductile cast iron tubes and pipes, excluding bare pipes | 7303 00 90 10 | 0% | None |
| Other ductile cast iron tubes and pipes, bare internally and externally | 7303 00 90 20 | 0% | None |
Specify the casting and furnace conditions
Specify the cast iron grade and chemistry, tube shape, heated length, bore, wall thickness, straightness, flange faces and mounting dimensions. Give the foundry the furnace atmosphere, operating temperature range, heating and cooling cycle, support arrangement and expansion allowance. Ask for evidence supporting the proposed material in those conditions. Do not accept a drawing that identifies the material only as heat-resistant cast iron.
Suppliers must supply safe work equipment. The pressure equipment rules regulate design, manufacture and conformity assessment above a maximum allowable pressure of 0.5 bar. Ask your engineer to check whether the proposed tube falls within their scope, including any exclusions. Agree installation, operating and replacement instructions with the supplier, and confirm compatibility with the existing furnace before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 cast iron radiant tubes, assuming this classification is confirmed; values are hypothetical. under 7303 00 90 90, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £36,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £36,000, so it is £7,200. 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 casting identification and batch records to the agreed grade; arrange independent chemistry checks where substitution would affect service.
Fit: measure bore, wall thickness, flange position, mounting faces and straightness against the approved drawing; trial-fit a sample with the mating parts.
Casting integrity: examine accessible surfaces for cracks, porosity and repairs; agree suitable examination and leak-testing methods with the furnace engineer.
Arrival condition: check ends, flanges and supports for impact damage, inspect packing for movement, and reconcile identification with the inspection records. Use our quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A tube can match the external dimensions yet have the wrong casting chemistry or uneven walls. These are risks to check when investigating cracking, distortion or leakage during thermal cycling. Poorly positioned flanges and supports can also prevent fitting or restrict expansion.
Agree whether repaired castings are acceptable and how repairs must be recorded. Approve material evidence and a trial fit before releasing the batch, then use supports and end protection that prevent the tubes striking each other in transit. A dimensional inspection alone does not establish suitability for furnace service.
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 cast iron radiant tubes from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% on every line of heading 7303, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the actual tube belongs in this heading.
Which commodity code should I use for a cast iron radiant tube?
Check 7303 00 90 90 against the actual goods. Pressure-system descriptions and ductile iron variants have separate lines. Give your broker the drawing, material and intended function.
Can I order a replacement from an old radiant tube?
Use the old tube to check mounting and envelope dimensions, but also supply the original drawing and operating conditions. Wear, oxidation or distortion can make a used tube an unreliable dimensional master.
What should I ask the foundry to prove before shipment?
Ask for material chemistry linked to the casting batch, dimensional results, agreed casting-integrity checks and trial-fit evidence. Match the packing identification to those records.