Sourcing Manganin foil from China

UK duty on Manganin foil

Heading 7410 covers copper foil no thicker than 0.15 mm, excluding any backing. Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel resistance alloy. For foil supplied as material, the relevant lines are 7410 12 00 00 for unbacked copper-alloy foil and 7410 22 00 00 for backed copper-alloy foil. The table shows different supply formats under these same lines.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, both relevant copper-alloy lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control against either line.

Include the commodity code on your import declaration. Confirm composition, metal thickness and backing with your customs broker using our commodity code guide. For related materials, see copper-nickel alloy foil.

Specify Manganin by electrical performance

State the alloy designation and permitted composition, foil thickness and tolerance, width, roll length or sheet size, temper and surface condition. For backed foil, identify the backing and adhesive separately. Ask for a batch certificate tied to the material supplied.

Specify resistivity at an agreed reference temperature, the permitted temperature coefficient of resistance and the temperature range over which it is measured. Agree the test method, sample geometry and conditioning. For shunt or precision-resistor work, compare samples after your intended cutting, joining and heat treatment.

UK REACH generally applies to individual substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. Obtain composition and surface-treatment information so you can assess the obligations relevant to your supply.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10 kg of unbacked Manganin foil under 7410 12 00 00, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,300, so it is £460. 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

Material identity: match batch labels to the alloy certificate and verify composition on a sample where substitution would affect performance.

Dimensions and surface: measure thickness across and along samples; inspect slit edges, burrs, pinholes, creases and oxidation.

Electrical properties: check resistivity and temperature behaviour against the agreed method and acceptance limits.

Packing and backing: check supported rolls, sealed moisture-resistant packing and batch identification; inspect backed foil for lifting or trapped bubbles. Use our inspection guide to organise the checks.

What goes wrong

A trade name can conceal a different composition or material condition. A foil sample may meet resistance expectations at room temperature but drift outside the agreed temperature range. Uneven thickness, slit-edge damage and creases can also undermine repeatable resistor production.

Agree acceptance criteria before ordering and retain an approved sample. Test material after the processing steps you intend to use, and keep batch identity through cutting and storage. Investigate a failed batch before mixing it with accepted stock.

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.