Sourcing copper kitchen funnels from China

Zero duty on copper kitchen funnels

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 7418 covers copper table, kitchen and household articles, alongside scourers and sanitary ware. For copper kitchen funnels, the relevant household-article entries are 7418 10 90 10 for hand-made articles and 7418 10 90 90 for other articles. The table shows funnel variants sharing these entries; spout width does not create a separate listed code.

Both entries carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either entry. Food-contact suitability still needs assessment before buying funnels for kitchen use.

Confirm the construction and manufacturing method before choosing the commodity code. Copper-plated steel or aluminium articles are classified by their base metal. See the copper cookware and homeware guide for the wider heading.

Specify the bowl, spout and food-contact lining

Specify solid copper or another stated construction, wall thickness, bowl opening, spout bore and length, rim finish and handle attachment. Send the factory the bottle or jar neck dimensions and approve a sample that drains without backing up. Agree whether the funnel is intended for oil, dry ingredients or acidic liquids, and state the expected temperature and cleaning method.

Confirm applicable food-contact requirements with the relevant authority. Unlined copper releases copper into acidic food and drink, so agree a lining or a food-contact assessment suited to the intended use. For tin linings, specify lead-free tin. Ask for finished-product migration testing covering the bowl, joint and spout, with help from testing and certification.

Products should only be sold after compliance with applicable product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. Keep the approved sample, material specification and matching test reports together; inspect the rim and outlet for sharp edges as well as checking food-contact surfaces.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 copper kitchen funnels; illustrative order only under 7418 10 90 90, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,600, so it is £1,520. 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

Material: check the body material against the agreed specification and measure wall thickness at accessible points. Compare the production finish with the approved sample.

Lining: inspect the bowl, seam and inside the spout for exposed copper, flaking and gaps. Check that migration reports match the finished construction and intended food use.

Flow and joints: trial the funnel with the intended receiving container and representative contents. Check drainage, air escape, leaks at the bowl-to-spout joint and handle security.

Finish and packing: check the rim and outlet for burrs, and the body for dents, tarnish and polishing residue. Confirm individual protection prevents rubbing and crushed spouts. Use the inspection guide to agree the checks.

What goes wrong

A polished bowl can hide incomplete lining inside the spout. Other defects to watch for are leaking seams, sharp rolled rims, loose handles and outlets crushed during packing. A funnel may fit a bottle yet drain poorly when the spout blocks air escape. Trial the complete design rather than approving appearance alone.

Decorative lacquer is not a substitute for food-contact suitability. Keep decorative-only products clearly identified and separate from kitchen-use stock. If the factory changes the lining, solder, coating or construction, review the sample and supporting tests before accepting the change.

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.