Sourcing copper-nickel sheets from China

UK duty on copper-nickel sheets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, copper-nickel sheets more than 0.15 mm thick fall within heading 7409, under 7409 40 00 00. This line also covers copper-nickel-zinc alloys known as nickel silver. The table shows purchasing forms sharing the same commodity code, rather than separate tariff lines.

The supplied tariff extract records 0% duty for goods from China on this line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control. The suspensions elsewhere in heading 7409 concern specified refined-copper products. See the wider copper sheet and strip guide for the other alloys.

The commodity code must be included on the import declaration. Give your customs broker the alloy composition, thickness and supplied form, then confirm the commodity code. Copper foil of 0.15 mm or less belongs under heading 7410. Zero duty does not remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the alloy, temper and sheet dimensions

Write the agreed alloy designation and composition into the order, including nickel content and whether zinc is present. Do not accept a supplier's description of white metal as the material specification. State temper, thickness, width, length, dimensional tolerances, flatness, edge condition and surface finish.

Tell the mill whether the sheets will be bent, stamped or welded, and agree how samples will be assessed for that process. Request a mill certificate tied to the supplied batch, with composition and mechanical test results. Specify interleaving, dry wrapping and support that prevents the sheets sliding or bending in transit.

UK REACH regulates chemicals placed on the market in Great Britain. REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on manufacture, sale or use. Before ordering, check relevant restrictions against the alloy, any coating and the intended application; request supplier composition information to support that check.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of copper-nickel sheets under 7409 40 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,800, so it is £4,560. 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 sheet and package identification to the mill certificate, and test sample composition where alloy substitution would affect the application.

Temper: compare the certificate's mechanical results with the order and assess sample forming behaviour using the agreed process.

Dimensions: measure thickness across each sampled sheet, check width and length, and inspect flatness, edge burrs and damaged corners.

Surface and packing: check scratches, oxidation, oil stains and moisture, then inspect interleaving and package support. Set the sampling brief through the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A quotation may use a broad copper-alloy description while the certificate identifies a different composition. Nickel silver can be confused with copper-nickel sheet because the tariff line covers both. Match the ordered composition to the certificate and sample test results rather than accepting appearance or the commodity code as proof of material.

Wrong temper can cause cracking during forming, while thin areas, bowed sheets and edge damage can make cutting and assembly difficult. Agree acceptance criteria before production, and check the batch before shipment. Packing needs to keep sheet faces apart and prevent movement within the bundle.

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.