Sourcing electrogalvanised coils from China

Duty and classification for electrogalvanised coils

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7210 covers coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel of a width of 600 mm or more. This guide covers electrolytically zinc-coated steel coils. The supplied facts contain only the relevant lines shown in the table.

Codes 7210 30 00 10 and 7210 30 00 90 both show 0% third-country duty for goods from China. Neither shows a steel measure, anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control in the supplied snapshot. Import VAT is separate; see UK import duty and VAT.

Give your broker the coating process, steel composition, width and details of any further working to confirm the commodity code. Do not classify from the word 'galvanised' alone. For the wider coated-steel context, see the galvannealed steel coils guide.

Specify the zinc coating and forming condition

Specify electrolytic zinc coating explicitly, together with the steel grade, forming application, thickness and width tolerances, coating mass on each face, surface finish, passivation and oiling. Agree coil weight, inner diameter, edge condition and moisture-resistant packing. Ask the mill to identify the coating process on its certificate.

Request the composition of surface treatments so you can assess chemical compliance before supplying the coils. UK REACH generally applies to substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. UK guidance also advises including contractual assurances that imported iron and steel are not of Russian origin.

For future shipments, ask HMRC or your customs broker to confirm whether these lines fall within the iron and steel scope of the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027. Ask the mill for emissions data and review the UK carbon border adjustment guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of electrogalvanised steel coils under 7210 30 00 10, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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

Traceability: match coil labels to the mill certificate, grade, chemical composition, mechanical results and stated electrolytic coating process.

Dimensions: measure thickness and width against the agreed tolerances; check edges and coil dimensions against your processing equipment.

Coating: check the agreed coating mass on each face and inspect for bare areas, white rust, scratches and handling marks.

Packing: check wrapping, strapping and coil identification on arrival; photograph wet packaging and edge damage before unpacking. Use an agreed quality inspection plan.

What goes wrong

A supplier describes a coil simply as galvanised, leaving the coating process unclear. A certificate covers a different coil or omits the surface treatment. Resolve these gaps before accepting the goods or confirming classification.

Damp wrapping can leave white rust, while damaged edges or unsuitable coil dimensions interrupt feeding and forming. Record arrival condition, retain coil identification and compare defects with the agreed acceptance criteria.

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.