Sourcing carbon tool-steel plate from China
UK duty on hot-rolled non-alloy carbon tool-steel plate from China ranges from 0% to 50% across the selected lines. Confirm the non-alloy chemistry, dimensions and steel-quota position before ordering; the snapshot records no trade remedies on these lines. Cambridge China Bridge sources hot-rolled non-alloy carbon tool-steel plate.
Plate dimensions determine the duty line
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. This guide selects non-coiled carbon tool-steel plate from the relevant “Other” lines. Confirm the chemistry rather than accepting “tool steel” as a complete material description. See the wider hot-rolled steel guide.
The selected lines show 50% third-country duty except 7208 52 91 90, which shows 0%. The 50% lines are marked for the steel measure: quota availability can permit 0%, so ask your broker to confirm the position before shipment. None of these selected lines records anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty, a suspension or an attached import control in the supplied snapshot.
Match the mill chemistry, thickness, width and processing condition to the commodity code. Do not use these rows for alloy tool steel or assume that thinner, narrower or further-worked material has the same treatment. Recheck the declaration position with your broker using the actual product documents.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-alloy carbon tool-steel plate, over 15 mm thick | 7208 51 20 90 | 50% outside quota | None |
| Carbon tool-steel plate, over 10 to 15 mm thick, width at least 2 050 mm | 7208 51 91 90 | 50% outside quota | None |
| Carbon tool-steel plate, over 10 to 15 mm thick, width below 2 050 mm | 7208 51 98 90 | 50% outside quota | None |
| Carbon tool-steel plate, 4.75 to 10 mm thick, width at least 2 050 mm | 7208 52 91 90 | 0% | None |
Specify chemistry, delivery condition and machining stock
Specify the carbon tool-steel grade and agreed chemical composition, with limits for residual alloying elements. State that the order is for hot-rolled non-alloy plate, and record whether annealing is required. Agree the delivery hardness range and the heat-treatment response needed for the intended tooling.
Write down thickness, width, length, flatness, edge condition and machining allowance. Agree how much surface scale and decarburised material may need removing. For tooling where internal soundness matters, agree ultrasonic inspection and acceptance criteria before production. Ask the mill to retain heat identity through cutting and packing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of hot-rolled non-alloy carbon tool-steel plate; illustrative order under 7208 52 91 90, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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
Heat identity: match plate markings and bundle lists to the mill certificate, purchase specification and chemistry results.
Dimensions: measure thickness across the plate, width, length and flatness; check that usable machining stock remains after surface removal.
Material condition: check delivery hardness and agreed test results; inspect for cracks, laps, deep pitting and excessive scale.
Packing and arrival: check supports, restraints, moisture protection and edge damage before unloading removes the bundle identification. Record findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier substitutes alloy tool steel or ordinary carbon plate because the enquiry says only “tool plate”. Mixed heats then reach the workshop without traceability. Require chemistry against the agreed grade and keep each plate linked to its certificate through cutting.
Plate can arrive too hard to machine, bowed, or with surface decarburisation that consumes the machining allowance. A heat-treatment trial on representative material helps expose an unsuitable hardening response before production tooling is made. Keep purchasing acceptance criteria separate from the broker’s classification checks.
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 carbon tool-steel plate from China?
The selected lines show 0% or 50%. The 50% lines carry the steel measure, where quota availability can permit 0%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded on these selected lines.
Can I use an alloy tool-steel grade instead?
Treat substitution as a material change. Confirm the chemistry, machining and hardening requirements, then have the broker reassess classification rather than reusing the non-alloy plate code.
Should carbon tool-steel plate arrive annealed?
Agree the delivery condition explicitly. If machining before hardening, specify the required annealed condition and delivery hardness, and check representative material before releasing it to production.
What paperwork should I request from the mill?
Request heat-linked chemistry, delivery condition and test results, plus plate and packing lists. Keep supply-chain evidence available: official guidance says traders may be asked for it at the border.