Sourcing copper-nickel foil from China
Copper-nickel alloy foil from China carries 0% UK duty across the backed and unbacked alloy lines. Heading 7410 covers foil no thicker than 0.15 mm, excluding backing. Specify nickel content, temper and thickness tolerance, and assess UK REACH obligations for the material and use. Cambridge China Bridge sources copper-nickel alloy foil.
UK duty on copper-nickel alloy foil
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7410 covers copper foil not exceeding 0.15 mm in thickness, excluding backing. Copper-nickel alloy foil falls within the copper-alloy lines: 7410 12 00 00 for unbacked foil and 7410 22 00 00 for backed foil. The table shows different supply forms within these same codes.
Both alloy lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff extract lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either line. Suspensions shown against refined-copper lines do not extend to these alloy lines. For the wider product family, see our copper foil and clad laminate guide.
Your import declaration must include the commodity code. Give your customs broker the alloy composition, metal thickness and details of any backing, then confirm the classification using finding your commodity code. A supplier's description of the material as copper foil is insufficient for agreeing the purchase specification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbacked copper-nickel alloy foil in wide rolls | 7410 12 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Backed copper-nickel alloy foil in rolls | 7410 22 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the alloy, temper and slit edge
Write down the alloy designation and agreed copper and nickel composition, including limits for other constituents. Specify temper, metal thickness and tolerance, width, roll length or weight, core dimensions and edge condition. Ask for a batch-linked mill certificate and retain an approved sample. For resistance applications, agree the electrical property to test and the test conditions.
For backed foil, identify the backing material, adhesive, treated face and required bond performance. Agree whether thickness measurements refer to the metal alone or the complete laminate. Specify surface cleanliness, acceptable oxidation, winding direction and packing that protects edges and prevents moisture reaching the foil.
UK REACH generally covers substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles; registration applies to substances in articles only in certain limited cases. Restrictions can limit or prohibit marketing or use. Assess the supplied alloy, coatings and backing for the intended use, and ask for composition information to support that assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10 rolls of unbacked slit copper-nickel alloy foil, illustrative order under 7410 12 00 00, invoiced at £7,760 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,960. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,960, so it is £1,992. 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: match roll labels to mill certificates, check copper and nickel composition against the order, and independently test a sample where composition is critical.
Dimensions: measure metal thickness across the width and along sampled lengths; check slit width, edge burrs, camber and winding against the agreed specification.
Performance: check temper and agreed tensile or forming properties; test electrical resistance where specified and bond performance on backed material.
Surface and packing: inspect for pinholes, scratches, wrinkles, oxidation and oil residue; check sealed wrapping, desiccant and supported cores before accepting delivery.
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What goes wrong
A certificate for a different batch can hide an alloy substitution. Incorrect nickel content can change electrical behaviour, while unsuitable temper can cause cracking during forming. Uneven thickness, slit-edge burrs and tight or uneven winding can interrupt processing. Backed foil can also separate when its adhesive or surface preparation differs from the approved sample.
Compare production material with the approved sample, check certificates against roll labels and agree rejection criteria before dispatch. Keep damaged or suspect rolls separate until assessed. Use our quality inspection guide to define the checks and factory verification to assess the supplier's production and testing capability.
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 copper-nickel foil from China?
The supplied tariff extract dated 2 October 2026 shows 0% duty for both unbacked and backed copper-alloy foil, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does backing change the commodity code?
Yes. Unbacked copper-alloy foil uses 7410 12 00 00; backed copper-alloy foil uses 7410 22 00 00. The heading's 0.15 mm thickness limit excludes backing.
What should I ask for on the mill certificate?
Ask for the alloy designation, copper and nickel composition, other agreed constituents, temper and tested properties. The certificate should identify the batch supplied and match the roll labels.
Can a pure-copper foil sample approve copper-nickel foil?
Use a sample of the ordered alloy, temper and thickness. Pure copper does not establish the copper-nickel material's composition, electrical resistance or forming behaviour.