Sourcing magnesium foil from China
Magnesium foil from China carries 0% UK import duty under the other magnesium articles line, with no anti-dumping duty shown. The sender is responsible for classifying, packaging and marking any dangerous goods; settle the foil's transport classification before booking. Cambridge China Bridge sources magnesium foil.
Zero duty on finished magnesium foil
Heading 8104 covers magnesium and its articles, including waste and scrap. Finished magnesium foil falls within the other articles line, subject to confirmation for the actual product. The table shows different foil supply forms sharing the same commodity code, rather than separate tariff lines.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the other articles line carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control shown. Suspensions elsewhere in the heading concern unwrought magnesium and specified powder. The waste and scrap line has import and export waste controls attached; for foil scrap from China, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker. Waste shipment controls apply only to material that is waste.
Confirm the commodity code using the composition, supply form, coating and intended use. For the wider product family, see magnesium alloy sheet. Keep the customs description consistent with the purchase order and material certificate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unalloyed magnesium foil in rolls | 8104 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify foil composition, thickness and surface
State whether you need unalloyed magnesium or magnesium alloy foil, with the agreed composition and impurity limits. Specify thickness and its tolerance, width, cut length or roll format, temper, surface finish and whether any coating is permitted. Agree acceptance criteria for pinholes, tears, edge burrs, creases and oxidation against an approved sample.
Ask for a material certificate linked to each production batch and agree how chemistry and thickness will be checked. For rolls, specify the core, winding direction, acceptable joints and protective interleaving. For cut pieces, agree flatness and protection against bent corners.
UK REACH generally covers substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles. Ask a compliance adviser to assess the supplied foil and intended use rather than assuming its customs classification settles its chemical obligations. HSE notes that article status can be difficult to determine. Before booking transport, obtain the sender's classification assessment; the sender is responsible for classifying, packaging and marking any dangerous goods.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 kg of uncoated magnesium foil in rolls under 8104 90 00 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,000, so it is £800. 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: match batch identifiers to the material certificate and check sampled material against the agreed alloy or purity specification.
Dimensions: measure thickness across the width and along sampled lengths, check width and cut size, and examine flatness or roll winding.
Surface: inspect against a light source for pinholes and tears, then check scratches, creases, oxidation and edge burrs against the approved sample.
Packing: check moisture protection, interleaving, supported rolls and protected corners; photograph damage before unpacking. Agree the sampling plan through quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A quotation for magnesium foil may omit composition, temper or thickness tolerance. Material can match the nominal thickness at an edge while varying across the web. Pinholes, creases and winding damage may only become visible when the roll is opened. Put the measurement method and rejection criteria in the order.
Do not transfer the ordinary-cargo assumption for magnesium ingots to foil. Ask the sender to assess the actual form before shipping. Keep usable foil separate from an offer described as scrap, and resolve customs and waste-control questions before accepting that offer.
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 magnesium foil from China?
The supplied tariff reading shows 0% for other magnesium articles under 8104 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that this line fits your foil.
Is magnesium foil the same as magnesium ribbon?
Suppliers may use the terms loosely. Order by thickness, width, composition and supply format, and approve a sample rather than relying on the product name.
Can magnesium foil ship as ordinary cargo?
Obtain an assessment for the actual foil before booking. The sender is responsible for classifying, packaging and marking any dangerous goods.
How do I check magnesium foil quality?
Match the batch certificate to the material, verify composition and thickness, inspect for pinholes and tears, and check surface condition, winding and moisture protection.