Sourcing cold-formed lipped C purlins from China
Cold-formed lipped C purlins from China under 7216 61 10 00 carry 0% UK duty, with no listed anti-dumping duty or steel measure. Confirm with the relevant construction-products authority whether a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking are required for the intended structural use. Cambridge China Bridge sources cold-formed lipped C purlins.
Duty depends on the supplied section
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7216 covers angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel. Cold-formed C sections obtained from flat-rolled products, not further worked than cold-formed or cold-finished, fall under 7216 61 10 00. The table shows profile variants sharing that tariff line, rather than separate subheadings.
The supplied snapshot records 0% duty for this line on goods from China, with no steel measure, anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is normally 20%. The heading's hot-rolled lines show 50%, but that rate does not apply to C purlins correctly classified on this cold-formed line.
Confirm the commodity code using the steel composition, section drawing and manufacturing steps. Have your broker review punched or otherwise further-worked purlins before using the same code; fabricated steelwork is covered by heading 7308. For the wider heading, see cold-formed steel Z sections.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-formed lipped C purlins from flat-rolled steel, equal flanges | 7216 61 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the lips, base steel and connections
Send the factory the building designer's approved section drawing. Specify web depth, each flange width, lip length and angle, bend radius, base steel thickness, grade, length and tolerances. Separate base steel thickness from coated thickness. Agree coating type and mass, cut-edge condition, hole size and positions measured from a defined end, and bundle identification.
Ask the designer to review section properties, loading assumptions, restraints and connection details before accepting a substitute profile. Agree the applicable construction-product standard and confirm with the relevant authority which declaration of performance and marking evidence, if any, are needed for structural supply. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Use testing and certification support to check the proposed documents.
Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism will apply to these steel lines at the planned import date. Ask the mill for emissions data when agreeing supply documentation.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of unpunched cold-formed lipped C purlins under 7216 61 10 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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
Profile: measure web, flanges, lips, bends, base steel thickness and length against the approved drawing; check bow and twist.
Connections: check hole positions from the agreed datum, hole shape, burrs and fit with the specified cleats and fasteners.
Material and documents: match bundle identities to mill certificates, grade and mechanical results; check the performance declaration and marking evidence against the supplied product.
Coating and packing: check coating results, bare patches, white rust, crushed lips and strap damage before loading and on arrival. Set the checks in your inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A matching overall depth can hide shorter lips, narrower flanges or thinner base steel. Hole patterns can be reversed or measured from the wrong end, leaving cleats unable to fit. Reject substitutions until the designer has reviewed the revised drawing and supporting section data.
Wet nested bundles can develop white rust, while tight straps can distort the lips. Keep bundle labels readable and compare arrival measurements with the pre-shipment report. Hold affected bundles for review when dimensions, grade or documents do not match the order.
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 lipped C purlins from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot records 0% for 7216 61 10 00, with no steel measure or anti-dumping duty. Confirm that the supplied purlins meet the line's description.
Do cold-formed C purlins need CE or UKCA marking?
For structural supply, agree the applicable construction-product standard and confirm with the relevant authority whether a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking evidence are needed. CE marking continues to be available in Great Britain.
Can a Chinese factory replace my specified C purlin?
Have the building designer review the proposed grade, base steel thickness, flange and lip dimensions, section properties and connection details before approving a replacement.
What should I check when C purlins arrive?
Check bundle identities, thickness, lip shape, straightness, twist and hole positions. Look for white rust and damaged lips, then compare the findings with the approved drawing and shipment inspection.