Sourcing copper teapots from China

Zero duty on copper teapots

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 7418 covers copper table, kitchen and household articles, including non-electric domestic cooking or heating apparatus. Copper serving teapots fall within the household-article family. See the copper cookware and homeware guide for the wider heading.

The relevant lines for goods from China carry 0% duty. The supplied tariff snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Hand-made and other household articles have separate codes; the table repeats these codes for different lining options.

Confirm the construction and intended use before choosing the commodity code. Copper-plated steel or aluminium articles are classified by their base metal. A serving teapot and an article designed for domestic cooking or heating need separate classification consideration.

Specify the body, lining and pouring function

Specify solid copper or a copper-coated base metal, body thickness, usable capacity, lining material, finish and handle construction. State whether the teapot is for brewing and serving or also for direct heating. Approve the lid fit, spout shape, strainer arrangement and cleaning access on a finished sample.

Confirm the applicable food-contact migration requirements with the relevant authority. Unlined copper releases copper into acidic drinks, so agree a suitable lining or food-contact assessment. Ask the relevant authority to confirm applicable lead restrictions for tin linings. Ask for finished-product migration testing covering the intended drinks and use conditions; see food-contact checks.

Keep records identifying the suppliers of products you sell so their origins can be traced. Also retain the approved sample specification, lining information and test reports. Ask for cleaning instructions that match the lining and any restrictions on heating.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 tin-lined copper serving teapots; illustrative order and values under 7418 10 90 90, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,600, so it is £1,520. 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

Body and lining: verify the body material and agreed thickness; inspect the interior, lid underside and spout for lining gaps, exposed copper and rough seams. Check that test reports match the supplied construction.

Pouring and leaks: fill the teapot, check the body and spout joints for leakage, and pour at different fill levels. Look for dribbling, blocked flow and a lid that slips during pouring.

Handle and lid: check handle attachments for movement, sharp edges and distortion. Assess grip and handle temperature during the agreed hot-water use test, and check that the lid can be removed safely.

Finish and packing: check for dents, scratches, tarnish and polishing residue. Protect the spout, lid and handle against movement in transit, and compare arrival samples with the approved sample; see quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A polished exterior can hide thin walls, incomplete lining or poor spout joints. Thin tin lining can wear through, handles can loosen and unsupported spouts can arrive bent. Check the interior and pouring function rather than accepting appearance alone.

A decorative lacquered copper pot is not evidence of suitability for tea contact. Keep decorative-only products clearly labelled and separate from serving teapots. Agree lining coverage, leak checks and protective packing before production, then check them on the shipment.

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.