Sourcing copper refrigeration tubes from China
Copper refrigeration tubes from China under heading 7411 carry 4% UK duty across the listed lines, with no listed trade remedies. Specify refrigeration tube to BS EN 12735, including internal cleanliness, and check pressure-equipment scope for the supplied product. Cambridge China Bridge sources copper refrigeration tubes.
4% UK duty on copper refrigeration tubes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7411 covers copper tubes and pipes. Refined copper refrigeration tube can fall under straight tube, level wound coils or other tube, depending on its supplied form. The table also includes copper-nickel alloy tube for refrigeration designs that expressly specify that material.
Every line in the supplied tariff record carries 4% duty for goods from China. The record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. These tariff findings do not establish whether the supplied product meets applicable product requirements.
Confirm composition, straight or coiled form, winding method and further processing before choosing the commodity code. Insulated or pre-lagged tube may classify differently. For the related capillary product, see copper refrigeration capillary tubes.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight refined copper refrigeration tube | 7411 10 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Refined copper level wound coils, smooth or internally grooved, not further processed | 7411 10 90 10 | 4% | None |
| Other refined copper tube, including coils outside the level wound description | 7411 10 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Cupro-nickel or nickel silver tube, only where specified by the refrigeration design | 7411 22 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify wall thickness, temper and internal cleanliness
Specify outside diameter, wall thickness and tolerances, copper grade, annealed or hard temper, straight lengths or coil weight, and smooth or internally grooved bore. Use BS EN 12735 as the refrigeration tube specification, including internal cleanliness. Agree end caps, batch identification and packing against dents and ovality.
Give the supplier the intended refrigerant, operating conditions and joining method. Ask for material certificates and test records matching the ordered tube and batch. Check how pressure-equipment rules apply to the supplied product: they regulate design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies above 0.5 bar maximum allowable pressure. HSE includes tubing within its description of piping.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 tonnes of refined copper refrigeration tube in level wound coils under 7411 10 90 10, invoiced at £40,352 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £42,852. Duty at 4% is £1,714.08. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £44,566.08, so it is £8,913.22. Import taxes total £10,627.30; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,714.08 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure outside diameter, wall thickness and ovality around sample sections; check supplied length against coil weight and the agreed dimensions.
Material and temper: match mill certificates to batch markings, and check sample bends and flares for cracking or excessive flattening.
Bore condition: inspect sample interiors for residue and moisture, confirm the specified groove profile where applicable, and check that end caps remain secure.
Packing: check coils for crushed sections and straight lengths for dents; photograph damage before unpacking and compare results with the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
Thin walls can make a weight-based offer appear cheaper while delivering tube outside the agreed specification. Incorrect temper causes cracking during bending or flaring. Internal residue, moisture and missing caps undermine the cleanliness specification; transit dents can leave local restrictions that are easy to miss in a wrapped coil.
Approve a sample against the written specification, then check production material and arrival samples against it. Keep damaged or mismatched batches separate while investigating. Use factory verification to check the mill's production and testing capability before ordering.
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 refrigeration tube from China?
The supplied tariff record, read on 1 October 2026, shows 4% across heading 7411, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which standard should I specify for refrigeration copper tube?
Specify BS EN 12735 for refrigeration tube, including internal cleanliness. Also agree dimensions, wall tolerances, temper, bore profile and end protection.
Do refrigeration coils and straight copper tubes use the same code?
No. Straight refined copper tube is 7411 10 10 00. Unprocessed refined copper level wound coils are 7411 10 90 10; other refined copper tube is 7411 10 90 90.
What should I check when copper refrigeration tube arrives?
Check wall thickness, ovality, batch certificates, bend and flare behaviour, internal cleanliness, end caps and transit damage before releasing the batch for use.