Sourcing expanded steel mesh from China

Expanded steel mesh duty

Heading 7314 covers iron or steel wire cloth, grill, netting and fencing, and expanded metal. Expanded steel mesh is made by slitting and stretching sheet into connected strands. The table shows product variants sharing the single expanded-metal line, rather than separate tariff classifications. See the wire mesh and fencing guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, expanded metal under 7314 50 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the classification of the goods as supplied, especially where mesh is incorporated into a fabricated assembly. Give your customs broker photographs, material details and the intended use. Our commodity code guide explains the process.

Specify the strands, openings and sheet profile

State the steel grade, raised or flattened profile, sheet dimensions, strand width and material thickness. Define the long and short directions of the diamond openings on a drawing, distinguishing clear opening from pitch. Agree tolerances, mesh orientation, edge condition and whether sheets are supplied bare, galvanised or coated.

For walkways, screens or machine guards, give the supplier the actual fixing arrangement and performance specification. Agree how performance will be demonstrated on the finished product. For construction use, check whether a designated standard applies and whether a declaration of performance is needed. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 60 expanded stainless steel mesh sheets under 7314 50 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,000, so it is £2,600. 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

Geometry: measure strand width, thickness, openings and sheet dimensions against the approved drawing. Check mesh orientation and distinguish flattened thickness from the overall depth of raised mesh.

Edges and strands: inspect cut edges for burrs, strands for splits and connecting bonds for cracks. Check flatness, squareness and distortion around the perimeter.

Finish: check coating coverage at cut edges and strand junctions, adhesion and the agreed coating thickness. Inspect bare and stainless sheets for rust, staining and handling damage.

Packing and identity: match bundle labels to material certificates and the packing list. Check sheet counts, separators, edge protection and straps. Use the inspection guide to plan checks before shipment and on arrival.

What goes wrong

A supplier may quote overall mesh depth when the buyer means material thickness, or mesh pitch when the drawing means clear opening. Flattened mesh can have different dimensions from the raised sample. Record each measurement on the approved drawing and keep a physical sample for comparison.

Narrow strands, cracked bonds, sharp edges and bowed sheets can make the mesh unsuitable for fabrication or installation. Coating can be patchy at junctions, while tight straps can deform sheet edges. Agree rejection criteria and packing with the factory before production.

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.