Sourcing copper powder and flakes from China

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.

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.

Dust and workplace safety in Great Britain

Fine copper powder and flake can form a dust cloud that burns if it is ignited. Under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, a dust that can form an explosive mixture with air is a dangerous substance, and regulation 5 requires an employer where it is present to assess the risk, using the supplier's safety data sheet among other information. A UK powder metallurgy or paste maker that sieves, blends or pours the powder should therefore ask the supplier for any dust explosibility data, and specify packing, such as lined drums with an inner seal, that limits dust release when it is opened.

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.

Related guides: Sourcing manganese metal from China.