Sourcing finned copper tubes from China
Finned copper tubes classified within heading 7411 carry 4% UK duty from China across all supplied lines. Confirm the finished tube's classification and, for pressure-equipment applications, establish the applicable safety requirements before sale in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources finned copper tubes.
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UK duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7411 covers copper tubes and pipes. Every supplied line carries 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control.
The table gives candidate tube classifications by material and form. Send your broker the finished-product drawing, tube and fin materials, manufacturing method and photographs to confirm the commodity code. Do not select a line solely from the supplier's description. See the wider copper heat-exchanger tubes guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight refined-copper tubes | 7411 10 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Other refined-copper tubes | 7411 10 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Straight brass tubes | 7411 21 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Cupro-nickel or nickel-silver tubes | 7411 22 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the tube beneath the fins
Specify tube alloy, temper, bore, wall thickness beneath the fins, overall length and unfinned end lengths. Define whether the fins are formed from the tube wall or attached separately, their material, height, thickness, spacing and outside diameter. Include straightness, end preparation and acceptance tolerances on the drawing.
State the working fluid, operating conditions and intended assembly. Agree the leak-test method, cleanliness checks and test records with the equipment designer. The pressure-equipment safety regulations set requirements before pressure equipment or assemblies can be placed on the Great Britain market. HSE treats heat exchangers consisting of pipes for cooling or heating air as piping.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of straight finned refined-copper tubes, subject to classification under 7411 10 10 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,800. Duty at 4% is £192. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,992, so it is £998.40. Import taxes total £1,190.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £192 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material: match the mill certificate, alloy and temper to the order and batch identification.
Tube wall: check bore, wall thickness beneath the fins, straightness and unfinned ends against the drawing; include a sectioned sample where agreed.
Fins: measure height, spacing and outside diameter; inspect crushed fins, uneven forming and attachment quality against the approved sample.
Cleanliness and packing: inspect the bore and end caps, review agreed leak-test records and check that supports protect the fins during transport. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks.
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What goes wrong
Checking only the fin outside diameter can miss a thin tube wall or the wrong bore. Uneven fin spacing, crushed fins and loose attached fins can undermine the intended heat-transfer performance. Unfinned ends that are too short or out of round cause assembly problems.
Agree acceptance criteria before production and compare arrival samples with the drawing and approved sample. Keep damaged tubes separate while assessing them. A material certificate does not show whether the finished fins, tube wall and ends match the order.
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 finned copper tubes from China?
For tubes classified within heading 7411, every supplied line carries 4% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code applies to finned copper tubes?
Confirm it from the finished tube's material, form and construction. Give your customs broker drawings and photographs showing the fins and any attached parts.
What should I measure beneath the fins?
Check the bore and remaining tube wall against the drawing, alongside fin geometry and unfinned end dimensions. Agree a sectioned sample if external measurements cannot establish the wall thickness.
Are air-heating finned tube exchangers pressure equipment?
Establish the applicable pressure-equipment safety requirements for the intended product before sale.