Sourcing Magnesium Alloy Rods from China

UK duty on magnesium alloy rods

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 8104 covers magnesium and its articles, including waste and scrap. For worked magnesium alloy rods, check the “Other” line, 8104 90 00 00. The table shows purchasing forms within that same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied record gives this line 0% duty for goods from China and lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is normally 20%. An empty tariff control entry does not settle obligations under other rules: UK REACH generally covers substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles.

Give your customs broker the alloy composition, manufacturing process, dimensions and intended use to confirm the commodity code. Distinguish worked rods from unwrought casting material. For the wider heading and billet purchasing, see magnesium alloy billets.

Alloy chemistry, condition and machining allowance

Specify the alloy designation and agreed composition limits, including aluminium, zinc and impurities such as iron, nickel and copper. Name the production route and supply condition, including any heat treatment. Ask for a batch-linked material certificate showing measured chemistry and the mechanical properties agreed for your application.

Define diameter, length, straightness, ovality, surface finish and machining allowance. State whether ends are sawn or machined and whether surface defects are acceptable within the machining allowance. Agree sampling and acceptance criteria before production, rather than accepting a supplier’s description of the rods as suitable for machining.

Check whether the supplied material is treated as a substance, mixture or article for UK REACH purposes and confirm the applicable obligations before importing. Keep this assessment tied to the actual composition and supplied form.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of worked magnesium alloy rods; values are hypothetical, not a quotation under 8104 90 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: match bundle identification to the material certificate and independently analyse samples against the ordered composition, including impurity limits.

Dimensions: measure diameter and ovality along sampled rods, check length and straightness, and confirm usable machining allowance.

Condition: inspect for cracks, seams, corrosion, deep scratches and damaged ends; check the declared supply condition against the agreed test results.

Traceability and packing: reconcile batch markings, certificates and packing lists; inspect wrapping and supports for moisture, abrasion and bending damage.

What goes wrong

A certificate can describe the correct alloy while referring to a different batch. Rods can also arrive with the wrong supply condition, excessive bow or surface defects that consume the machining allowance. Require batch-linked records and inspect actual material before releasing it to production.

Do not accept a commercial description of “magnesium bar” as a complete specification. Unwrought casting stock and worked machining rods are different purchases. Set the processing route, chemistry, dimensions and acceptance tests in the order, and retain a labelled sample for comparison with subsequent deliveries.

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.