Sourcing formed zinc roof valleys from China

Duty and classification for formed zinc valleys

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 7907 covers other articles of zinc. Code 7907 00 00 90 is the candidate line for finished formed zinc roof valleys. The table shows product variants sharing this line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Unformed zinc sheet belongs to a separate heading, and galvanised steel is steel.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension listed. It attaches waste import and export controls. For waste subject to notification controls, consent from the competent authorities is needed before shipment. For a consignment from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the waste controls apply and what documents are needed; identify it clearly as finished roof valleys.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, finished profile and intended use. For related zinc roof articles within the wider heading, see zinc roof ridge caps.

Specify the valley profile and joint detail

Supply a cross-section drawing showing the valley angle, channel width, side upstands, edge folds and any central upstand. State sheet thickness, finished length, dimensional tolerances, zinc alloy and surface finish. Agree the overlap or joint detail, fixing arrangement and packaging with your roofer. Approve a formed sample against the adjoining roof covering before releasing production.

For Great Britain, legitimately affixed CE marking remains recognised for construction products. Ask a construction-product adviser to confirm whether the exact valley profile and intended use fall within a designated standard or technical assessment route. Request the applicable performance declaration and supporting documents for that product, rather than accepting a certificate for unrelated roofing sheet.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of formed zinc roof valleys under 7907 00 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,900, so it is £1,980. 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: match the batch material report to the agreed zinc alloy and check thickness away from folds.

Profile: check channel width, valley angle, upstands, edge folds, length and straightness against the approved drawing.

Surface: inspect bend lines for cracking, edges for burrs, and visible faces for scratches, staining and inconsistent finish.

Fit and packing: trial the agreed joint with sampled pieces; check that separators and supports prevent rubbing and crushed folds. Use quality inspection explained to brief the inspection.

What goes wrong

A factory can reproduce the overall shape while getting the edge fold, valley angle or overlap detail wrong. Pieces then resist fitting, leave uneven joints or reduce the intended drainage channel. Check the actual formed sample with your roofer; a photograph of flat sheet does not demonstrate fit.

Tight bends can crack, nested pieces can scratch each other, and unsupported bundles can arrive twisted. Agree acceptable surface variation and packing before production. Keep damaged or mismatched pieces separate on arrival and record their batch details before installation.

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.