Sourcing copper wire-rope slings from China
Copper wire-rope slings from China carry 0% UK duty under 7413 00 00 90, subject to classification. For lifting use, slings must have adequate strength, be tested and undergo the required examinations and inspections. Cambridge China Bridge sources copper wire-rope slings.
Duty on copper wire-rope slings
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7413 covers stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and similar copper products that are not electrically insulated. The relevant residual line, 7413 00 00 90, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For discarded slings or material supplied for recovery from China, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipment. Do not treat the tariff flag alone as a waste permit requirement for new finished slings.
Only the residual commodity line is relevant to this guide; the other supplied line describes a loudspeaker component. Confirm the commodity code using the rope material, construction, fittings and intended use. A steel rope with copper ferrules should not be assumed to be copper rope. See the wider copper wire guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper wire-rope slings, not electrically insulated, subject to classification | 7413 00 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the copper rope and finished sling
State whether the rope itself is copper or copper alloy, rather than steel fitted with copper sleeves. Specify material grade and temper, strand construction, rope diameter, finished bearing length, eye dimensions, thimbles, ferrules and attachment fittings. Ask for material identification and test records covering the finished assembly, including its terminations.
Define the intended load, lifting arrangement, sling angles and operating environment before approving the drawing. For supply as lifting equipment in Great Britain, the responsible person must complete the relevant conformity assessment and apply the relevant conformity marking. Ask for the declaration of conformity, English instructions and evidence supporting the stated capacity. Do not accept an electrical bonding loop as a lifting sling without an assessment of its suitability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of custom copper wire-rope slings under 7413 00 00 90, invoiced at £7,760 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,560. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,560, so it is £1,912. 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: check the rope and fittings against the approved material specification; investigate copper plating or a material certificate that covers only the ferrules.
Construction: measure rope diameter, finished bearing length and eye dimensions; inspect for broken wires, kinks, crushed sections and damaged thimbles.
Terminations: compare sleeve material, crimp profile and rope engagement with the approved drawing; match assembly test records to the delivered batch.
Marking and documents: lifting accessories must clearly indicate their safe working loads. Match the stated capacity, product identification, declaration and instructions to the delivered sling.
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What goes wrong
The main purchasing traps are ambiguous material descriptions and unsupported capacity claims. A supplier may mean a steel sling with copper ferrules, or offer a flexible copper bonding assembly with no evidence for lifting. A copper composition report alone does not establish the capacity of the finished sling.
Other rejection points include slipping terminations, inconsistent eye lengths, damaged strands and documents for a different assembly. Keep suspect slings out of service while the supplier resolves the discrepancy. Use a documented inspection brief covering the rope, fittings and finished assembly.
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 wire-rope slings from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for 7413 00 00 90, subject to correct classification, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure.
Does a copper ferrule make a steel sling a copper product?
Do not assume so. Identify the rope material separately from the ferrules and submit the complete assembly specification when checking classification.
Can I use a copper bonding loop for lifting?
Do not assume it is suitable. Lifting slings must have adequate strength, be tested and undergo the required examinations and inspections.
What should I ask the Chinese factory to provide?
Ask for an assembly drawing, material identification, termination details, capacity evidence, traceable test records, a declaration of conformity and English instructions.