Sourcing octagonal steel bars from China
Cold-drawn non-alloy steel octagonal bars from China carry a flat 50% UK duty in the supplied tariff record. Classification depends on free-cutting status, carbon content and further processing, rather than shape alone. Check the steel supply chain for sanctions. Cambridge China Bridge sources cold-drawn steel octagonal bars.
Duty and classification for octagonal bars
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7215 covers other bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel. Cold-drawn octagonal bars fall within the cold-finished descriptions according to steel composition. The residual other-bars row is included for classification review where further working takes the goods beyond those descriptions.
The supplied record shows 50% duty on every listed line for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. It does not record a steel measure or quota relief. Separately, UK sanctions prohibit relevant processed iron and steel products. Ask your broker to assess the steel supply chain; government guidance advises contractual assurances that imports are not of Russian origin.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill chemistry, free-cutting status and full processing history. Octagonal shape alone does not determine the code. For wider heading coverage, see cold-drawn mild-steel hexagonal bars. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether and when these lines fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism; review the UK CBAM guide when planning future imports.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-drawn free-cutting steel octagonal bars | 7215 10 00 00 | 50% | None |
| Cold-drawn non-alloy octagonal bars, carbon below 0.25% | 7215 50 19 00 | 50% | None |
| Cold-drawn non-alloy octagonal bars, carbon 0.25% or more | 7215 50 80 00 | 50% | None |
| Other non-alloy octagonal bars; check classification after further working | 7215 90 00 90 | 50% | None |
Specify the octagonal profile and drawing condition
Supply a section drawing showing across-flats and across-corners dimensions, corner radii and their tolerances. State grade, carbon content, free-cutting status, cold-drawn condition, heat treatment, length, straightness and twist limits. Agree the measuring method so the factory and receiving inspector assess the same features.
Specify surface seam limits, machining allowance, end condition and corrosion protection. Request a mill inspection certificate with heat number, chemistry, delivery condition and mechanical results. Agree a sample machining trial where the bars will enter a chuck, collet or shaped fixture; an acceptable across-flats measurement alone does not prove fit.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of cold-drawn non-alloy steel octagonal 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
Traceability: match bundle tags and heat numbers to the mill certificate, purchase specification and chemistry results; keep supplier origin assurances with the order records.
Profile: measure across flats and corners at several positions, check corner radii, and compare the section with the approved drawing and intended fixture.
Straightness: check bow, twist, cut length and damaged ends against the agreed acceptance limits.
Surface and packing: inspect for longitudinal seams, drawing scratches, rust and corner damage; check protective oil, wrapping and bundle supports. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes octagonal stock by a nominal size without saying whether it means across flats or across corners. Rounded corners, unequal flats or twist can then prevent seating in a fixture. Drawing seams may open during machining, while mixed heats make chemistry and cutting behaviour inconsistent.
Agree the drawing and acceptance method before production, retain an approved sample, and test machining behaviour before accepting the batch. Check origin assurances and classification before shipment. Budget using the supplied 50% rate rather than carrying forward the older reference guide's quota assumptions.
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 octagonal steel bars from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 50% on the relevant heading 7215 lines, with no additional trade remedy or suspension recorded. Confirm the code and current measures before shipment.
Which commodity code covers cold-drawn octagonal bars?
Free-cutting bars use 7215 10 00 00. Other cold-finished non-alloy bars use 7215 50 19 00 below 0.25% carbon or 7215 50 80 00 at 0.25% or more. Further working needs review.
How should I specify the size of an octagonal steel bar?
Define across-flats and across-corners dimensions on a drawing, with corner radii, tolerances, straightness and twist limits. Agree how the factory and receiving inspector will measure them.
What paperwork should I request from the Chinese mill?
Request a heat-linked mill certificate covering chemistry, condition and mechanical results. Government guidance advises contractual assurances that imports are not of Russian origin; have your broker review the supply chain.