Sourcing magnesium alloy billets from China

Zero duty on unwrought alloy billets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 8104 covers magnesium and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. Other unwrought magnesium, including alloy feedstock, carries 0% duty under 8104 19 00 00 for goods from China. That line lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control.

The table includes neighbouring lines to distinguish billets from pure magnesium, scrap and other articles. The pure-magnesium line has a 0.00 % autonomous suspension with a restriction concerning mixtures and composite products; it is not the alloy billet line. The scrap line attaches import and export waste controls. For scrap from China, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker; waste shipped under notification controls into England needs consent from the authorities involved.

Confirm whether the supplied billet is unwrought or has undergone further working before choosing the commodity code. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT. For the wider product family, see magnesium ingots and anodes.

Alloy chemistry and billet condition

Specify the alloy designation and full composition limits, including iron, nickel and copper impurities. State the intended process, such as remelting, extrusion or forging, and agree diameter, length, straightness, end condition and machining allowance. Identify whether you want as-cast, homogenised or otherwise treated material, and record the agreed condition on the order.

Ask for a heat-linked analysis certificate and an agreed sampling plan. Set acceptance criteria for surface cracks, oxide and flux inclusions, and agree internal-defect testing where the downstream process needs it. Assess whether UK REACH registration is required for substances you have not previously imported; ask your compliance adviser to assess the supplied material rather than relying on its tariff code.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of unwrought magnesium alloy billets; illustrative order only under 8104 19 00 00, invoiced at £50,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £52,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £52,500, so it is £10,500. 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

Chemistry: compare each heat certificate with the ordered composition and impurity limits, and arrange independent analysis of sampled material.

Dimensions: measure diameter, length and straightness against the drawing, including the allowance needed for subsequent machining.

Casting condition: inspect surfaces and cut ends for cracks, oxidation and visible inclusions; check the agreed internal-defect test results.

Traceability and packing: match billet and bundle markings to heat certificates, inspect for moisture and corrosion, and retain batch identity during storage. Agree the scope of quality inspection before dispatch.

What goes wrong

A billet can look acceptable while its chemistry is outside the ordered limits. Excess iron, nickel or copper can accelerate corrosion; oxide and flux inclusions can emerge during processing. A certificate that does not match the delivered heat leaves the buyer unable to establish what material arrived.

Surface defects can consume the machining allowance, while mixed batches complicate defect investigations. Hold suspect material apart, preserve its markings and photographs, and obtain analysis before releasing it to production. Keep billets dry and agree how damaged or corroded material will be assessed.

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.