Sourcing fibre drums from China
Fibre drums within heading 4819 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no trade remedies listed in the supplied tariff data. Confirm with the relevant authority whether timber due diligence applies to the virgin-fibre paperboard when first placed on the GB market. Specify the contents, liner and closure together. Cambridge China Bridge sources fibre drums.
UK duty on fibre drums
Heading 4819 covers paper and paperboard packing containers alongside other listed articles. Fibre drums are candidates for the other packing containers line, 4819 50 00 00. The table shows drum variants sharing that candidate code, rather than separate tariff lines. Give your broker the complete construction, including the base, lid, liner and metal fittings.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The fibre-drum candidate line has no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls in the supplied data. Import VAT is normally 20%. An empty drum and its eventual contents need separate consideration.
Confirm the commodity code before ordering. For related containers across the wider heading, see corrugated shipping cartons. Confirm with the relevant authority whether timber due diligence requirements apply to paperboard made with virgin fibre when first placed on the GB market, and how bamboo-based and recovered products are treated. Ask for the fibre composition, pulp source, species and country of harvest.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlined fibre drums | 4819 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the drum around its contents
Describe the contents, filled weight, filling method and storage conditions. Specify internal diameter, usable height, wall construction, base joint, lid material and closure ring. Agree dimensional tolerances and stacking performance with the factory. Approve a filled sample with your actual handling equipment, rather than judging an empty drum by appearance.
Specify liner material, thickness, seam construction and how it closes. If you pack food yourself, the packaging must be suitable for food use. Ask for documentation covering the actual food-contact surfaces and intended conditions. For dangerous goods, packaging materials must be compatible with the contents; the filler, packer or consignor is responsible for ensuring this.
Ask for separate material weights for the body, liner, lid and fittings. Confirm with the relevant authority whether UK packaging producer responsibility obligations apply to your business supplying packaging. Retain the approved drum and its component specification as the reference for repeat orders.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of empty fibre drums under 4819 50 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,200, so it is £1,040. 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
Body and base: inspect for ovality, loose winding, delamination and gaps at the base joint; compare internal dimensions with the approved drawing.
Lid and closure: fit lids from the production batch, operate the locking ring and check for loose seating, sharp edges and damaged fittings.
Liner and cleanliness: inspect seams, punctures, dust and odour; trial the filling and closure method with the intended contents.
Moisture and stacking: check for damp walls, mould and crushed rims on arrival; test filled drums against the agreed stacking and handling conditions. Use the approved sample for quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A drum can look sound while its base joint loosens under load. Oval bodies prevent lids seating evenly, locking rings distort during handling, and liner seams open when filled. Trial the complete drum, liner and closure together, and record the agreed acceptance criteria before production.
Damp paperboard loses stiffness and can delaminate or develop mould. Check loading condition and arrival damage, and keep affected drums separate for assessment. For dangerous-goods applications, obtain the supplier's test report and closure instructions for review before choosing the design.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on fibre drums from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% for 4819 50 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures. Confirm that code against the complete drum construction. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Can fibre drums be used for food ingredients?
If you pack food yourself, the packaging must be suitable for food use. Specify the ingredient and storage conditions, and ask for documentation covering the liner and every surface that contacts it.
Can I use fibre drums for dangerous goods?
Packaging materials must be compatible with the contents. Ask for the design's test report and closure instructions, and have the proposed drum and contents assessed before ordering.
Do timber rules apply to fibre drums?
Confirm with the relevant authority whether timber due diligence requirements apply to virgin-fibre paperboard when first placed on the GB market, and how bamboo-based and recovered products are treated. Ask the factory for fibre composition and source records.