Sourcing mild-steel hexagonal bars from China
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 50% UK duty across the listed lines for goods from China. For cold-drawn mild-steel hexagonal bars, confirm carbon content and non-alloy composition before choosing the code, then agree across-flats tolerances. Cambridge China Bridge sources cold-drawn mild-steel hexagonal bars.
Duty and classification for hexagonal bar
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, heading 7215 covers other bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel. Cold-drawn hexagonal bars containing less than 0.25% carbon, other than free-cutting steel, match the description of 7215 50 19 00. The remaining table rows are classification comparisons, covering different chemistry or rectangular sections.
The supplied snapshot lists 50% third-country duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. It does not flag a steel measure. Use this snapshot for budgeting rather than the older quota wording in the wider bright-steel guide, and ask your broker to recheck the declaration-date measures.
Send your broker the mill chemistry, grade, hexagonal section and cold-drawing process details to confirm the commodity code. For steel supply-chain compliance, official guidance says traders should be prepared to provide documentation consistent with the applicable prohibitions. Ask the mill for traceable material-origin and processing records.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-drawn hexagonal non-alloy bars, under 0.25% carbon | 7215 50 19 00 | 50% | None |
| Classification comparison: cold-finished free-cutting steel bars | 7215 10 00 00 | 50% | None |
| Classification comparison: cold-finished bars, carbon 0.25% or more | 7215 50 80 00 | 50% | None |
| Classification comparison: rectangular bars, under 0.25% carbon | 7215 50 11 00 | 50% | None |
Specify across-flats size and drawing condition
Specify the steel grade, chemistry, cold-drawn condition, across-flats size and tolerance, corner profile, straightness, length and surface defect limits. State whether the bars feed a machine directly or will be cut into blanks. Agree the inspection method against your drawing before production.
Ask for a mill inspection certificate showing chemistry, mechanical results and heat numbers. Keep ordinary mild steel and free-cutting steel separate in the purchase specification. Agree corrosion protection, bundle identification and lifting arrangements, and check the supplier's drawing capability through factory verification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 30 tonnes of cold-drawn mild-steel hexagonal bars under 7215 50 19 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,000. Duty at 50% is £15,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £45,000, so it is £9,000. Import taxes total £24,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £15,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Documents: match the grade, chemistry and heat numbers on the mill certificate to the bundle tags and purchase order.
Dimensions: measure across opposing flats at several positions along each sampled bar; check corner profile, straightness and cut length against the agreed drawing.
Surface: inspect flats and corners for seams, drawing scratches, rust and handling damage before releasing stock for machining.
Packing: check bundle restraint, identification and corrosion protection on arrival, and record wet wrapping or displaced bars. Use the quality inspection guide to define the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes hexagonal bar without agreeing across-flats tolerance or corner shape. Bars then fail to feed or fit as expected. Mixed heats weaken traceability, surface seams appear during machining, and damaged wrapping lets corrosion develop. Keep suspect bundles separate until the dimensions and certificates have been checked.
Another failure is budgeting from the older guide's quota treatment instead of checking current measures. Use the supplied 50% rate for the illustrative order and have your broker confirm the actual treatment before shipment. See UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
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 cold-drawn mild-steel hexagonal bars from China?
The supplied snapshot lists 50% for 7215 50 19 00 and the comparison lines. It records no additional anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Recheck the measures before declaration.
Which commodity code covers cold-drawn mild-steel hexagonal bar?
7215 50 19 00 matches cold-finished non-alloy bars with under 0.25% carbon in other sections, excluding free-cutting steel. Confirm the chemistry and processing with your broker.
What dimensions should I specify for hexagonal bar?
Specify across-flats size and tolerance, corner profile, straightness and length. Agree how the supplier will measure them and whether the bars must feed directly into your machine.
What mill documents should I request?
Ask for an inspection certificate with grade, chemistry, mechanical results and heat numbers, plus traceable material-origin and processing records. Match each bundle to its documents.