Sourcing hot-rolled steel bulb flats from China

Bulb-flat codes and the steel quota

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7216 covers angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel. The specific bulb-flat lines are 7216 50 91 10 for widths up to 204 mm and 7216 50 91 90 for other bulb flats. The table includes neighbouring profile lines for classification comparison; they are not interchangeable bulb-flat codes.

The supplied tariff snapshot lists 50% for these hot-rolled lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. Our published sections guide describes the continuing 0% steel-quota route. Ask your broker to confirm quota eligibility and availability before budgeting at 0%. Ship-work authorised use relief does not apply to steel products within the steel measure.

Confirm the commodity code using the section drawing, width, steel chemistry and processing history. See the wider steel beams and sections guide. For imports planned from 1 January 2027, confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether these sections fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism; ask the mill for emissions data and consult our carbon border adjustment guide.

Specify the bulb profile and its intended use

Send a dimensioned cross-section drawing showing overall width, flat thickness, bulb shape and orientation. Specify the steel grade, delivery condition, length, straightness and twist tolerances, surface finish and inspection certificate. For shipbuilding work, agree the customer's required mill approval and material documentation before ordering.

For structural construction use, agree the declaration of performance and applicable UKCA or CE marking described in our sections guide. CE marking remains available for construction products supplied in Great Britain. Match the documents to the actual product and intended use rather than accepting a generic mill certificate.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of hot-rolled bulb flats up to 204 mm wide, illustrative only under 7216 50 91 10, 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 overall width, flat thickness, bulb dimensions and length against the approved drawing; check straightness and twist.

Material: match heat numbers on the steel and bundle labels to inspection certificates, chemistry and mechanical test results.

Surface: inspect the bulb transition and edges for laps, seams, cracks, rolled-in scale, deep rust and handling damage.

Arrival: check bundle identity, quantity, moisture damage and transit bending before accepting delivery. Use our quality inspection guide to agree the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A similar-looking profile can have a different bulb shape or insufficient flat thickness, disrupting fit-up and welding. Mixed heats, unreadable markings and certificates that describe a different grade make material acceptance difficult. Agree the drawing and traceability documents before the mill starts production.

Long bundles can arrive bent or twisted after poor lifting and support. Agree lifting points, support and protection with the supplier. Duty budgets also fail when quota is unavailable or buyers assume shipbuilding use creates an exemption. Confirm the customs route 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.