Sourcing hexagonal poultry netting from China

Zero duty across the relevant finishes

Heading 7314 covers iron or steel wire cloth, grill, netting and fencing, and expanded metal. For twisted hexagonal poultry netting, the relevant distinctions are zinc coating, plastic coating and other finishes. The galvanised variants in the table share a commodity code; the coating sequence is a purchasing specification.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel trade measure, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the finish and construction against the commodity code guide before declaring the goods. See the wider wire mesh and fencing guide for other products within this heading.

Specify the wire, hexagonal openings and finish

Specify the steel wire diameter beneath any plastic coating, the finished diameter, hexagonal opening dimensions and how those openings are measured. Agree roll width, usable length, edge construction and acceptable dimensional variation. Use a labelled approved sample and drawing rather than ordering by a wire-gauge description alone.

State whether galvanising takes place before or after twisting, and agree the zinc coating class or coating mass. For plastic-coated netting, specify the underlying wire finish, coating thickness, colour and adhesion checks. Ask for coating evidence that identifies the supplied batch.

For netting intended or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, general product safety rules require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include checks for exposed wire ends and handling hazards in the purchasing brief. Agree packaging that restrains loose ends and protects the roll edges.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Mixed-size galvanised rolls for a farm-supply stock order; illustrative values only under 7314 41 00 00, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £36,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £36,000, so it is £7,200. 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

Wire and openings: measure the steel core on suitable samples and check hexagonal openings against the agreed drawing, including areas beside the roll edges.

Twists and edges: unroll samples and check for loose twists, broken wires, projecting ends and edges that unravel when cut or handled.

Coating: inspect twists and cut ends for bare steel, flaking zinc or split plastic; verify coating measurements and adhesion against the agreed specification.

Rolls and identification: check usable length, width, crushed sections and ease of unrolling; match finish, size and batch labels to the packing list. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.

What goes wrong

Plastic coating can conceal a thinner steel core than ordered. Openings can stretch unevenly, twists can loosen and rolls can contain joins or damaged sections that reduce usable length. Inspect unrolled material rather than judging the shipment from the outside of tightly wound rolls.

Thin or damaged coatings leave corrosion points around twists and cut ends. Crushed roll edges make installation difficult and expose sharp ends. Do not assume poultry containment netting will resist predators; agree the intended application and supporting installation before approving the sample.

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.