Sourcing hot-rolled oval steel bars from China
Hot-rolled non-alloy steel oval bars from China carry a listed 50% UK duty, with 0% available through the applicable steel quota. Classify by chemistry, processing and use, rather than the oval shape alone, and agree the complete cross-section drawing. Cambridge China Bridge sources hot-rolled non-alloy steel oval bars.
Oval-bar classification and steel quota duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 7214 covers iron or non-alloy steel bars and rods not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, including those twisted after rolling. For ordinary hot-rolled oval bars, the main candidates are 7214 99 50 00 below 0.25% carbon and 7214 99 95 90 at 0.25% carbon or more. The free-cutting and concrete-reinforcement rows apply only where those descriptions fit.
The supplied tariff snapshot lists 50% for these rows, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. The published reference guide explains that an applicable steel quota can provide 0% duty, with 50% outside quota. Ask the customs broker to confirm quota eligibility and availability before budgeting. The separate anti-dumping measure on high-fatigue-performance rebar should not be applied to ordinary oval engineering bars.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill chemistry, manufacturing route, section drawing and intended use. Do not select a circular-bar line using the oval's major dimension as its diameter. For wider heading context, see the hot-rolled half-round bars guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-free-cutting oval bars, carbon below 0.25%, not concrete reinforcement | 7214 99 50 00 | 50% | None |
| Non-free-cutting oval bars, carbon 0.25% or more, other | 7214 99 95 90 | 50% | None |
| Free-cutting oval steel bars, other | 7214 30 00 90 | 50% | None |
| Oval bars below 0.25% carbon, of a type used for concrete reinforcement, other | 7214 99 10 90 | 50% | None |
Specify the oval profile and rolling condition
Supply a dimensioned cross-section drawing showing the major and minor dimensions and the complete contour. Clarify whether the shape is elliptical or has parallel sides with rounded ends. Agree dimensional tolerances, straightness, twist, cut length, end condition, surface condition and machining allowance. Specify the non-alloy steel grade, chemistry, mechanical properties and hot-rolled condition; request heat-linked mill test records.
For construction sales in Great Britain, establish the applicable designated standard or technical assessment before agreeing marking and performance documents. Official guidance says products outside, or partly outside, a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document. Do not treat a supplier's general steel certificate as proof that the proposed construction use has been assessed.
Prepare supply-chain documentation for sanctions checks, including supporting records for the steel input and processing route. Official guidance says traders should be prepared to demonstrate supply-chain history consistent with the prohibitions. Ask the mill for supporting records before accepting an unsupported origin declaration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of hot-rolled non-alloy steel oval bars under 7214 99 50 00, 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 50% is £10,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,000, so it is £6,000. Import taxes total £16,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £10,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Profile: measure the major and minor dimensions at several positions, compare the complete contour with the approved drawing, and check straightness and twist.
Material: match bundle tags and heat numbers to mill chemistry and mechanical test results. Check that the carbon content and free-cutting status support the proposed tariff description.
Surface: examine for rolling laps, seams, cracks, heavy scale and corrosion pitting. Agree which surface defects are unacceptable and whether the machining allowance can accommodate the delivered condition.
Delivery: reconcile lengths, quantities and bundle weights with the packing list. Photograph wet packaging, displaced bars and damaged ends before unpacking. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the record.
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What goes wrong
An oval name can conceal different contours. Bars can meet the overall width and thickness yet fail to fit a clamp, die or machined component because the curvature differs. Other problems include twist, mixed heats, inadequate machining allowance and surface seams exposed during machining. Approve the drawing and a representative sample together.
A quotation can also assume quota relief that is unavailable when the goods enter. Budget against the listed rate until the broker confirms the claim, and resolve any mismatch between the certificate, invoice and goods description before shipment.
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 oval steel bars from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot lists 50% for the relevant hot-rolled oval-bar lines. The reference guide describes 0% through an applicable steel quota and 50% outside quota. Confirm availability with your broker.
Which commodity code covers hot-rolled oval steel bars?
For ordinary non-free-cutting bars, check 7214 99 50 00 below 0.25% carbon or 7214 99 95 90 at 0.25% or more. Free-cutting steel and concrete-reinforcement types need separate classification checks.
What dimensions should I give the Chinese mill?
Provide the major and minor dimensions, complete contour, tolerances, straightness, twist and cut length. State whether the profile is elliptical or has parallel sides and rounded ends.
What should I inspect when oval bars arrive?
Check the contour against the approved drawing, measure along the bars, reconcile heat numbers with mill records, and inspect for seams, cracks, pitting, twist and damaged ends.