Sourcing mild-steel chequer plate from China
Hot-rolled mild-steel chequer plate from China carries 0% within an available steel quota or 50% outside it. The supplied raised-pattern lines also list 35.90% residual countervailing duty and 0.00% anti-dumping duty. Confirm the line from coil or plate form and thickness before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources hot-rolled mild-steel chequer plate.
Chequer-plate lines, steel quota and countervailing duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7208 covers hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel flat products at least 600 mm wide, not clad, plated or coated. For chequer material with patterns in relief, distinguish coils from plates, then distinguish plate thickness. See the wider hot-rolled steel guide for other products in the heading.
The supplied raised-pattern lines show 50% third-country duty and the steel measure; the published reference guides explain 0% within available quota and 50% outside it. These lines also list residual countervailing duty of 35.90% and anti-dumping duty of 0.00%. No suspensions or import controls are recorded. The shaped-product line records 50% and no residual remedy; ask your broker to check the finished product against the remedy scope.
Confirm the commodity code using steel composition, width, base thickness, raised pattern, coil or plate form and any further working. The shaped-product row is conditional, not an alternative code for rectangular plate. Ask your broker to confirm quota availability and the applicable trade-remedy treatment before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-rolled chequer material in coils | 7208 10 00 00 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
| Hot-rolled chequer plate, not in coils, thickness of 2 mm or more | 7208 40 00 10 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
| Hot-rolled chequer plate, not in coils, thickness below 2 mm | 7208 40 00 90 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
| Potential line for chequer plate simply cut into non-rectangular shapes | 7208 90 80 10 | 50% outside quota | None |
Specify base thickness separately from the raised pattern
Specify the steel grade, chemistry and mechanical properties, base thickness excluding the raised pattern, pattern height and layout, sheet dimensions, flatness and edge condition. Agree how thickness will be measured and record tolerances in the purchase specification. Request mill certificates linked to the heat markings and an approved sample showing the pattern.
For flooring, specify the intended loads, supports, fixing arrangement, footwear and likely water or oil exposure. HSE states that workplace floors must suit the work activity. Ask for slip-performance evidence relevant to the proposed surface and conditions rather than accepting the pattern appearance alone.
For construction supply in Great Britain, establish the applicable product specification and conformity documentation before ordering. Government guidance confirms that legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied to that market. Match any claimed marking and supporting documents to the actual product and intended use.
Inspection checklist
Material identity: match bundle and heat markings to the mill certificate, purchase grade, chemistry and mechanical test results.
Thickness and shape: measure base thickness away from raised features, pattern height, length, width, squareness and flatness against the agreed specification.
Surface and edges: check for flattened or incomplete patterns, laminations visible at cut edges, burrs, rust pitting and handling damage.
Packing and arrival: check moisture protection, bundle stability, identifying marks and wet patches between stacked sheets. Record defects before fabrication; use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
What goes wrong
A supplier quotes thickness including the raised pattern, leaving less base metal than the buyer expected. Other failures include bowed sheets, inconsistent patterns, mixed heats and rust hidden inside bundles. Resolve the measurement method and acceptance criteria before production, then repeat those checks on arrival.
Raised-pattern plate is confused with plain plate, or a fabricated panel is treated as simply cut material. The declaration then fails to match the goods or the trade-remedy scope. Quota availability can also change before clearance. Keep drawings, material records and the broker's classification advice together.
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 mild-steel chequer plate from China?
The supplied raised-pattern lines show 50%; the reference guides explain 0% within available steel quota. They also list 35.90% residual countervailing duty and 0.00% anti-dumping duty.
Which commodity code covers hot-rolled chequer plate?
The supplied lines are 7208 10 00 00 for coils, 7208 40 00 10 for plates at least 2 mm thick and 7208 40 00 90 for thinner plates. Confirm composition, width and further working.
Does chequer-plate thickness include the raised pattern?
Agree this explicitly. Specify base thickness excluding the pattern, then specify pattern height separately. Measure both against the purchase specification.
Is a raised pattern enough to prove slip resistance?
Ask for evidence for the intended footwear, surface condition and contamination. HSE says workplace floors must suit the work activity; pattern appearance alone is a poor acceptance check.