Sourcing copper powder and flakes from China
Copper powders and flakes from China, including electrolytic and atomised copper powder for powder metallurgy, brazing, friction materials and conductive pastes, and lamellar flake for pigments, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 7406, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers check purity, particle size, apparent density, oxygen content and packing that keeps the powder from oxidising.
Electrolytic, atomised and flake copper powders from China pay 0% UK duty. Particle size, oxygen content, REACH and dust handling explained.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 7406 covers copper powders and flakes. Both lines, powders of non-lamellar structure (7406 10 00 00) and powders of lamellar structure and flakes (7406 20 00 00), carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure, no registration and no suspension.
Aluminium powders are covered in our aluminium powder and flakes guide, and copper sheet and strip in our copper and brass sheet guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powders of non-lamellar structure | 7406 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Powders of lamellar structure; flakes | 7406 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Chemical rules
Copper powder is a substance under UK REACH, so importers of one tonne or more a year need a registration position, and the safety data sheet and label follow the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Check the classification the supplier gives, particularly for fine and coated flake, and plan dust control in handling.
Specifying copper powder
Specify production method (electrolytic, water or gas atomised), purity, particle size distribution and mesh, particle shape, apparent density and flow rate, oxygen or hydrogen loss, coating for flake, and packing in sealed drums or vacuum bags with inert gas.
Worked duty example
Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 2 tonnes of electrolytic copper powder in sealed drums under 7406 10 00 00. At £22,000 free on board and £800 to ship and insure, the customs value is £22,800. With 0% duty on copper powder, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £22,800, or £4,560. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: check purity, oxygen content and particle size on the certificate, and verify a sample in an independent laboratory.
Appearance: check colour for darkening that shows oxidation, and for lumps.
Packing: check drum seals, vacuum or inert packing, net weight and lot marking.
What goes wrong
Copper powder orders fail on oxidation and size. Powder oxidises and darkens in poorly sealed drums, particle size or apparent density drifts from the grade, and fine powder agglomerates in humid storage.
Test samples before shipping. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources copper powder and flake for UK powder metallurgy, brazing and conductive ink makers, checking the producer's lab first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on copper powder from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, copper powders and flakes under 7406 carried 0% from China.
Which code is copper flake?
Powders of lamellar structure and flakes are 7406 20 00 00.
What decides copper powder grade?
Purity, particle size, apparent density and oxygen content.
Does copper powder need REACH registration?
Importers of one tonne or more a year need a UK REACH position.