Sourcing electroformed nickel screens from China
Electroformed nickel screens declared within heading 7508 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the code from construction and use, rather than assuming wire mesh. Food-contact screens must comply with the general food-contact framework. Cambridge China Bridge sources electroformed nickel screens.
0% duty within heading 7508
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7508 covers other articles of nickel. Its nickel wire cloth, grill and netting line and its other articles line both carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows screen forms against the same candidate other-articles code, not separate tariff subdivisions.
The other-articles line has import and export waste controls attached. Confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipping discarded screens from China. In England, a material is waste if its holder has discarded it. Where notification controls apply, waste can be shipped to England only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Ask your broker to confirm the route for your particular material.
Provide construction details, nickel composition, drawings and intended use when confirming the commodity code. Do not assume an electroformed perforated screen is nickel wire cloth. A machine-specific assembly also needs its own classification check. For the wider product family, see nickel bars, wire and mesh.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other nickel articles: electroformed flat screens | 7508 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify apertures, thickness and machine fit
State whether you need a flat screen or rotary cylinder, and whether it is supplied bare, coated or mounted. Specify nickel composition, aperture shape, clear opening, pitch, open area, thickness and tolerances. A supplier's mesh designation alone does not describe the opening or the metal between apertures.
For rotary screens, agree circumference, length, roundness and end-ring interfaces. For flat screens, agree overall dimensions, flatness, mounting holes and edge finish. Identify the working face and flow direction, cleaning chemicals and operating conditions. Approve a sample in your machine using your actual printing paste or screening material.
For screens that contact food, the general food-contact framework applies. Ask for the finished screen's composition, coating details and supporting assessment for the intended food and conditions of use. Agree appropriate testing through testing and certification before approving a food-processing application.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 replacement flat screens, illustrative only under 7508 90 00 00, invoiced at £1,200 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,100. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,100, so it is £420. 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: compare batch identification and composition results with the purchase specification, including any coating or backing.
Apertures: inspect openings across the working area under magnification for blocked holes, oversized openings, irregular pitch and unwanted pinholes.
Geometry: measure thickness across the screen, check flatness or roundness, and trial the mounting interface against the approved drawing.
Condition: check for cracks, creases, dents, loose deposits and edge damage; confirm packing supports the screen without crushing or bending it.
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What goes wrong
Matching the advertised mesh designation can still leave the wrong aperture size, open area or thickness. Blocked openings restrict flow or paste transfer; oversized openings defeat separation or spoil the print. Thickness variation and creases can produce uneven contact, while incorrect end-ring dimensions prevent installation.
Agree measurement locations and acceptance criteria before production. Compare the shipment with the approved sample and trial a screen before releasing the batch for use. Include transport damage and mounting checks in the inspection brief.
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 electroformed nickel screens from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% for both lines of heading 7508, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that your particular screen belongs in this heading.
Are electroformed nickel screens classified as nickel wire mesh?
Do not assume so. Give your broker the electroforming process, construction, composition, drawing and intended use. The table uses the other-articles line as a candidate, subject to confirmation.
Is the supplier's mesh designation enough to order a replacement?
No. Agree clear aperture size, shape, pitch, open area and thickness, plus mounting dimensions. Trial the approved sample with your machine and process material.
What should I ask for if the nickel screen will contact food?
Food-contact screens must comply with the general food-contact framework. Ask for composition and coating details, supporting assessment and suitable testing for the intended food and conditions of use.