Sourcing aluminium melting furnaces from China

0% duty on gas-fired aluminium melting furnaces

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 8417 covers non-electric industrial or laboratory furnaces and ovens. Gas-fired aluminium melting furnaces fall within the metal-melting line, 8417 10 00 00. Furnace parts are listed under 8417 90 00 00. The table distinguishes furnace designs sharing a commodity code rather than separate tariff lines.

Both relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the commodity code from the furnace specification and the contents of the shipment, particularly when ordering separate components. For the wider metal-treatment furnace family, see gas-fired heat-treatment furnaces.

Specify the aluminium melt and gas train

State the aluminium alloys, charge form, usable melt capacity, melting output and holding duty. Choose stationary crucible, tilting or reverberatory construction to suit charging and pouring. Specify working temperature, temperature measurement, dross removal access, crucible or refractory materials, and replacement arrangements. Agree a melt trial using representative charge, recording usable metal output and fuel consumption.

Specify the site gas type and available pressure, burner and gas train, flame supervision, purge sequence, safety shut-off valves and emergency stops. Agree the electrical supply, tilting controls, pouring clearance, flue connection and commissioning scope. Ask the supplier to identify everything the buyer must provide at the installation site.

Furnaces placed on the Great Britain market must be safe under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Confirm applicable conformity marking, declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements with the relevant authority. Ask the environmental regulator whether the proposed installation needs an emissions permit and who should arrange it. Check the proposed installation and emission performance before ordering; testing and certification can help organise the document review.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: One gas-fired tilting aluminium melting furnace; illustrative order under 8417 10 00 00, invoiced at £72,000 free on board, with £6,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £78,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £78,500, so it is £15,700. 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

Refractory and crucible: compare materials and lining thickness with approved drawings. Check for transport cracks, loose lining, damaged supports and missing dry-out instructions on arrival.

Combustion controls: have the supplier demonstrate flame supervision, purge, safety shut-off and emergency stops. Match the gas train components and wiring to the supplied diagrams.

Melt and pouring: witness the agreed aluminium melt trial. Record charge condition, melting output, holding stability and fuel use; check tilting movement, pouring control and access for dross removal.

Documents and delivery: match the nameplate and model to the declaration of conformity and English manuals. Check lifting points, packing damage, spares and installation drawings. Arrange quality inspection around the agreed acceptance checks.

What goes wrong

A furnace demonstrated empty may fail to deliver the agreed output with the buyer's charge. Unsuitable refractory, poor temperature control or an awkward pouring arrangement can undermine operation. Compare suppliers using the same charge and test method, and agree how failed acceptance checks will be corrected before shipment.

Wet charge is a separate safety concern. HSE advises preventing water or other contamination capable of causing an explosion from entering the furnace. Plan charge preparation alongside commissioning. Lining damage and missing gas train drawings can also delay installation, so inspect on arrival and resolve discrepancies before firing.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.