Sourcing Magnesium Alloy Sheet from China

Zero duty on magnesium alloy sheet

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 8104 covers magnesium and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. The supplied other-articles line, 8104 90 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded for that line. The table shows sheet variants under the same commodity line.

The wider heading includes unwrought metal and powder with separate suspensions. The UK Trade Tariff attaches waste import and export controls to the waste-and-scrap line. If the consignment includes scrap rather than usable sheet, confirm the requirements with your customs broker. See magnesium alloy billets for the wider heading.

Confirm the commodity code using the material composition, supplied form and intended use. Do not assume a fabricated component follows the sheet code. Import VAT is generally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify alloy, temper and rolling direction

Specify the alloy composition, delivery temper, thickness, width, length and agreed tolerances. Include flatness, edge condition, surface finish and any coating. For formed parts, ask the supplier to identify the rolling direction and agree how forming samples will be assessed before accepting production material.

Ask for batch-linked composition and mechanical test results, with the test direction identified. Agree whether sheet is supplied as rolled, annealed or otherwise treated. Describe acceptable scratches and edge defects using approved samples rather than relying on photographs.

UK REACH generally applies to individual chemical substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. Review its applicability to the sheet and any surface treatment before sale. Gather the alloy composition and treatment details for that review.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of magnesium alloy sheet 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

Composition and records: match bundle identification to the material certificate and compare the reported chemistry and properties with the purchase specification.

Dimensions and flatness: measure thickness across the sheet, check cut sizes and assess waviness against the agreed acceptance method.

Surface and edges: inspect for corrosion, scratches, dents, cracks and burrs, including sheets inside the stack rather than only the exposed face.

Packing and arrival: check for moisture, damaged wrapping and movement inside the crate. Keep batch identities visible during unloading and storage. Arrange quality inspection against the same specification.

What goes wrong

A sheet can match the quoted alloy while arriving in a different temper, leaving the buyer with material that forms or machines differently from the approved sample. Unclear rolling direction and test direction also make certificate results difficult to compare. Link samples, production records and delivered bundles before accepting the shipment.

Thin sheet can arrive bowed, scratched or dented where packing permits movement. Damp packing can leave surface corrosion between sheets. Agree protective interleaving, edge support and dry packing, then record arrival defects before unpacking removes the evidence.

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.