Sourcing container bolt seals from China

Duty and classification for container bolt seals

Heading 7326 covers other articles of iron or steel. For finished steel container bolt seals, 7326 90 98 90 is a candidate, subject to confirmation from the complete design, materials and locking mechanism. The table lists purchasing variants sharing this candidate code, rather than separate tariff lines.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, this code carries 2% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel trade measure or suspension. The tariff attaches a torture and repression goods import prohibition and export restriction. The official notice describes the banned goods; ask your customs broker to confirm the declaration requirement for container bolt seals.

Confirm the commodity code using assembly drawings, material details and photographs. Consult the import duty and VAT guide when budgeting the order.

Specify the bolt, locking barrel and numbering

Specify the bolt diameter, usable length, head shape, barrel dimensions, steel material and protective finish. Check fit on the intended container door hasp with the approved sample. Define how the barrel locks onto the bolt and what visible damage should remain after attempted removal.

Agree the serial-number format, matching marks on bolt and barrel, logo, colour and carton numbering ranges. Ask for test reports identifying the exact model and construction behind any performance claim. If using your own seals in place of official customs seals, obtain HMRC authorisation. Make that intended use clear before approving the factory sample.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 5,000 container bolt seals under 7326 90 98 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,000. Duty at 2% is £200. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,200, so it is £2,040. Import taxes total £2,240; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £200 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: check bolt and barrel dimensions against the drawing and trial them on the intended hasp.

Locking: check full engagement, resistance to pulling and twisting, and visible damage after the agreed destructive trial.

Numbering: compare bolt, barrel, carton and packing records; check legibility, missing numbers and duplicate serials.

Arrival: check rust, cracked plastic covers and loose barrels across cartons against the approved sample and inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A barrel may click into place without fully locking, or a changed internal insert may weaken an otherwise unchanged-looking seal. Plastic covers can conceal corrosion or split during handling. Agree functional acceptance checks on the finished assembly and require approval before material or locking-component changes.

Mixed bolt and barrel batches create mismatched numbers, while duplicated serials undermine stock traceability. Keep unused seals controlled and reconcile packing records before issue. For a discrepancy on a loaded container, see container seal number mismatch.

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.