Sourcing PCB copper foil from China
Electrodeposited copper foil for PCBs from China carries 0% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Heading 7410 covers foil no thicker than 0.15 mm, excluding backing; patterned printed circuit boards fall elsewhere. Cambridge China Bridge sources electrodeposited copper foil for PCBs.
UK duty on electrodeposited PCB copper foil
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7410 covers copper foil no thicker than 0.15 mm, excluding backing. Code 7410 11 00 50 specifically describes unbacked electrolytically manufactured refined copper foil and strips from 0.015 to 0.150 mm for PCB and PCB-laminate manufacture. The table also includes related backed forms; these are separate from loose foil.
The supplied tariff record lists 0% duty for goods from China on all these lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls. It also records autonomous suspensions at 0.00 % for the unbacked refined-copper lines. Their conditions exclude mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the foil; the other unbacked line limits its suspension to electrolytic refined foil and strips at least 0.015 mm thick.
Confirm thickness, refined-copper composition and whether the goods are backed before choosing the commodity code. Printed circuit boards with a conductor pattern belong under 8534. See the wider copper foil and clad laminate guide for neighbouring forms and the import duty and VAT guide for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbacked electrolytic refined copper foil for PCB manufacture | 7410 11 00 50 | 0% | None |
| Other unbacked refined copper foil | 7410 11 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Related backed form: polyimide film covered with copper foil | 7410 21 00 30 | 0% | None |
| Related backed form: other backed refined copper foil | 7410 21 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify foil for the intended PCB laminate
Write electrodeposited foil into the purchase specification. Agree thickness and tolerance, weight per area, width, roll length, surface profile, treatment on each face, tensile strength and elongation. Identify the bonding face and agree how it will be marked. Specify peel-strength acceptance using your intended resin and lamination process, then approve a trial laminate before ordering production material.
For Great Britain, official hazardous-substances guidance excludes component parts sold business to business from its scope, but requires an in-scope final assembly to comply including its components. Ask for material and surface-treatment evidence supporting the intended electrical product. UK REACH generally applies to substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles, so review the foil and treatment chemistry for your use rather than accepting a generic supplier declaration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 100 kg of electrodeposited copper foil for PCB trials under 7410 11 00 50, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,300, so it is £460. 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
Dimensions: check thickness across the roll width, weight per area and slit width against the purchase specification and roll certificate.
Surface: inspect for pinholes, wrinkles, oxidation, scratches and dents; confirm the identified bonding face matches the approved sample.
Performance: review batch results for roughness, tensile strength and elongation, and test peel strength on a laminate made with the intended resin.
Packing: check sealed moisture-resistant wrapping, desiccant, supported cores and readable roll-to-batch identification. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
An acceptable average thickness can hide variation across the roll. A changed surface treatment or profile can produce weak bonding in the buyer's laminate even when the supplier's own sample passes. Oxidation, pinholes and handling creases can make material unsuitable for the intended circuit process.
Keep an approved foil sample and laminate trial results linked to the specification. Agree approval before changes to treatment or production route, and inspect roll edges and packing before dispatch. Factory verification can check whether the supplier makes the foil and maintains the relevant test records.
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 electrodeposited PCB copper foil from China?
The supplied tariff record dated 2 October 2026 lists 0% duty on the relevant heading 7410 lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers electrodeposited foil for PCBs?
7410 11 00 50 describes unbacked electrolytic refined copper foil and strips from 0.015 to 0.150 mm for PCB manufacture. Confirm the full description against the goods.
How do I check whether the foil will bond to my laminate?
Make a trial laminate with your intended resin and process. Agree peel strength, surface profile and treatment, then retain the approved sample and results for comparison.
What should I check when copper foil rolls arrive?
Check roll identity, thickness variation, bonding-face identification, pinholes, wrinkles and oxidation. Inspect cores and wrapping for crushing or moisture damage before releasing the material.