Sourcing copper and brass scrap from China
Copper waste and scrap from China, of refined copper, of brass and of other copper alloys, pays 0% UK duty on all three lines of heading 7404, with no anti-dumping duty. Every line carries the waste import control, so the waste shipment documents, or consent for notifiable waste, must be settled before shipping. Buyers check grade, contamination and assay.
0% duty and the waste control
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 7404 covers copper waste and scrap, split into refined copper, brass and other. All three lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Every line carries the waste import control. Material that is still waste needs the information document for non-hazardous green-list waste, or prior written notification and consent for notifiable waste, arranged before it leaves China; material that is not waste clears on a declaration.
Copper cathodes and ingots are covered in our copper cathodes and alloy ingots guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste and scrap of refined copper | 7404 00 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Waste and scrap of brass | 7404 00 91 00 | 0% | None |
| Other copper waste and scrap | 7404 00 99 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying scrap
Specify the scrap grade (bright wire, heavy copper, brass turnings, radiators and so on), copper content, contamination limits (insulation, solder, iron, oil), moisture for turnings, and packing. Agree sampling, the assay laboratory and how the price adjusts to the assay.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of clean brass turnings under 7404 00 91 00, invoiced at £70,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £71,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £71,800, so it is £14,360. 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
Grade: check the scrap against the grade description and photos.
Assay: sample and assay copper content.
Documents: check the waste declaration or documents before loading. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Copper scrap deals fail on grade, contamination and documents. Lower grades are mixed in, insulation or iron adds weight, and shipments are held without the right waste documents.
Cambridge China Bridge sources metals for UK foundries and recyclers with assay and weighing agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on copper scrap from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, all three lines of heading 7404 carried 0% from China.
Does copper scrap need waste documents?
If it is waste, yes: the green-list information document or, for notifiable waste, notification and consent.
Is copper scrap in scope of UK CBAM?
Copper is not one of the UK CBAM sectors, which are aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel.
How is copper scrap priced?
On grade and assayed copper content, with the sampling and laboratory agreed first.