Sourcing cold-drawn square bars from China
Cold-drawn mild steel square bars from China carry a listed UK duty of 50% across the relevant lines in the supplied tariff snapshot. Classification depends on carbon content, free-cutting composition and further working, rather than the supplier's mild-steel label. Cambridge China Bridge sources cold-drawn mild steel square bars.
Listed duty and square-bar classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7215 covers other bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel. Ordinary cold-drawn square bars with less than 0.25% carbon fall within 7215 50 19 00. The rectangular line excludes square sections. The other table rows distinguish higher carbon content, free-cutting steel and further-worked products; they are not interchangeable classifications.
The supplied snapshot lists 50% third-country duty for goods from China on every selected line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls recorded. The older bright-bar reference describes quota relief, but this snapshot does not record it. Budget using the listed rate and ask your customs broker to confirm any relief before declaration.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill chemistry, square cross-section and complete manufacturing route. For related products within the heading, see the cold-drawn hexagonal-bar guide. For third-country-processed steel, customs may request supply-chain evidence at the border, so obtain material-origin records alongside the mill certificates before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-drawn non-alloy square bars with less than 0.25% carbon | 7215 50 19 00 | 50% | None |
| Cold-drawn non-alloy square bars with 0.25% or more carbon | 7215 50 80 00 | 50% | None |
| Cold-finished free-cutting steel square bars | 7215 10 00 00 | 50% | None |
| Other further-worked non-alloy square bars, subject to classification | 7215 90 00 90 | 50% | None |
Specify the square section and drawing condition
Specify the steel grade and chemistry, cold-drawn condition, across-flats size and tolerance, corner profile, straightness, twist, cut length and end condition. Agree mechanical properties and any heat treatment needed for the intended machining or fabrication. A supplier's description of mild steel does not establish carbon content or exclude a free-cutting composition.
Agree limits for seams, draw marks, scratches and corrosion, plus protective oil, wrapping and bundle identification. Ask the mill to connect each bundle to its heat number and certificate. Use factory verification to check the supplier's drawing, straightening and inspection capability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of cold-drawn mild steel square bars under 7215 50 19 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 50% is £10,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,000, so it is £6,000. Import taxes total £16,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £10,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Certificates: match heat numbers and bundle tags to the declared grade, chemistry, delivery condition and mechanical test results.
Section: measure across flats along the bars and check squareness, corner profile and dimensional variation against the agreed drawing.
Shape and ends: check straightness, twist, cut length, burrs and damaged ends before accepting stock for machining.
Surface and packing: inspect for seams, scratches, rust and wet wrapping; confirm bundles remain identifiable after unpacking.
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What goes wrong
Square bars can meet an across-flats measurement yet have rounded corners, twist or bow that prevents the intended fit. Surface seams may become apparent during machining, while mixed heats make a certificate unreliable for the delivered bundle. Agree acceptance criteria and preserve heat identification through cutting and storage.
Duty errors arise when buyers assume square bars use the rectangular line or rely on a generic mild-steel description. Corrosion and handling damage can also consume the machining allowance. Arrange checks before shipment and on arrival using the quality inspection guide.
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 square bars from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot lists 50% on all selected lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Ask your broker to confirm the applicable rate and any relief before declaration.
Which commodity code covers cold-drawn mild steel square bars?
For non-alloy bars with less than 0.25% carbon, not further worked than cold-formed or cold-finished, use 7215 50 19 00. Free-cutting composition, higher carbon or further working changes the classification.
What should a square-bar mill certificate show?
Ask for the grade, heat number, chemical composition, delivery condition and agreed mechanical test results. Match the certificate to the heat identification on each delivered bundle.
How do I check cold-drawn square bars on arrival?
Check across-flats dimensions, squareness, corner profile, straightness, twist and cut ends against the order. Inspect for seams and rust, and keep each heat identifiable.