Sourcing cold-formed sigma purlins from China
UK duty is 0% across the relevant cold-formed and further-worked lines for steel sigma purlins from China. Confirm the applicable construction-product documentation and CE or UKCA marking requirements with the relevant authority. Confirm the drawing, processing and intended use before choosing the code. Cambridge China Bridge sources cold-formed steel sigma purlins.
Cold-formed sections and their duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7216 covers angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel. This guide concerns cold-formed steel sigma purlins. The table compares open-section, other cold-formed and further-worked descriptions for classification review; the residual line is not a default code for sigma purlins.
The selected lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no steel measure, anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control on these lines. Separately, confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism will apply to your steel imports at the planned arrival date. Review the carbon border guide before planning arrivals.
Give your customs broker the cross-section drawing, material specification and details of punching, coating and fabrication. Fabricated steelwork belongs to heading 7308, so confirm the commodity code before ordering. See the lipped C purlin guide for related cold-formed sections within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open sections cold-formed from flat-rolled steel | 7216 61 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other sections cold-formed from flat-rolled steel | 7216 61 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other further-worked sections cold-formed from flat-rolled steel | 7216 91 80 00 | 0% | None |
| Other worked sections: residual classification for broker review | 7216 99 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the sigma profile and connection layout
Specify the complete cross-section, including web stiffeners, flange widths, lips, bend radii and base-metal thickness. State steel grade, coating, cut lengths, tolerances and hole positions measured from an agreed end. Supply drawings for cleats, laps and bridging connections. Ask the building designer to approve section properties and load information for the actual support and restraint arrangement.
For structural sections, confirm with the relevant authority whether a declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking are required under the applicable construction-product standard, and obtain the required documents. CE marking continues to be accepted in Great Britain. Agree the documentation route before production, and check that the documents identify the supplied profile and intended use. Keep mill certificates linked to the coil or batch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of cold-formed steel sigma purlins, illustrative only 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 depth, stiffener geometry, flange width, lips, bend shape and base-metal thickness against the approved drawing.
Connections: check hole spacing, end distances, slot orientation and burrs; trial-fit the specified cleats and lap arrangement.
Condition: inspect straightness, twist, coating damage, corrosion and crushed lips before loading and again on arrival.
Traceability: match bundle labels, lengths and batch references to the packing list, mill certificates and agreed performance documents.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may substitute a similar-looking sigma profile while changing stiffener geometry, thickness or steel grade. The replacement can have different section properties even when the overall depth matches. Hole patterns can also be mirrored or measured from the wrong end, preventing assembly with the intended connections.
Nested bundles can hide twisted sections, bent lips and wet-storage corrosion. Agree packing supports and bundle identification, inspect accessible pieces before loading, and record arrival damage before installation. Use the inspection guide to define the checks and reporting.
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 sigma purlins from China?
The relevant cold-formed and further-worked lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot. They show no steel measure or anti-dumping duty. Confirm the code for the supplied product.
Which commodity code covers cold-formed sigma purlins?
Ask your broker to compare the open-section and other cold-formed descriptions with the actual drawing. Further working or fabrication can change classification; the trade name alone is insufficient.
Do steel sigma purlins need CE or UKCA marking?
Confirm with the relevant authority the construction-product documentation and marking requirements for the structural sections. Agree the applicable standard and confirm whether a declaration of performance is required before ordering. CE marking continues to be accepted in Great Britain.
Can I replace an existing sigma purlin with the same depth?
Ask the building designer to approve the replacement. Match the complete profile, thickness, grade, section properties, support arrangement and connections; matching depth alone does not establish suitability.