Sourcing molybdenum fasteners from China

Duty and the waste-control flag

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8102 covers molybdenum and its articles, including waste and scrap. Finished molybdenum threaded fasteners should be checked against the other-articles line, 8102 99 00 00. The table shows different fastener forms under this shared code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. It attaches import and export waste controls to this line. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For a shipment from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement attached to the import declaration, especially for discarded or scrap parts.

Confirm the material and finished form using finding your commodity code. For raw materials and other shapes, see the wider molybdenum guide. UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles as well as substances on their own; ask your compliance adviser to review the specified alloy and any coating.

Specify the material and mating thread

State whether the fastener is pure molybdenum or a specified alloy. Give the drawing revision, thread system, diameter, pitch, fit, threaded length, head or drive shape, nut thickness and surface finish. Specify the operating temperature, atmosphere and mating material so the supplier can assess the proposed material and manufacturing route.

Ask for a material certificate tied to each production batch, with chemistry and the agreed density data. Approve samples with the intended mating parts before releasing production. Agree the thread-gauging method and acceptance criteria in the order.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of molybdenum bolts; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 8102 99 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,800, so it is £6,160. 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: match batch labels to certificates and independently check chemistry against the ordered grade.

Threads: use the agreed gauges; check pitch, threaded length and fit with representative mating parts without forcing assembly.

Condition: inspect thread roots, head transitions and nut faces for cracks, burrs, chipped edges and surface oxidation.

Packing: at inspection, check batch separation, protection of exposed threads and rigid support for long studs.

What goes wrong

A fastener can match the overall drawing dimensions while its thread fails to fit. Burrs, damaged thread crests and mixed thread specifications can stop assembly. Check the actual mating pair, and avoid accepting appearance alone as evidence of fit.

Molybdenum material can crack during machining when its processing condition is unsuitable. Untraceable certificates leave the ordered chemistry uncertain, while loose packing can damage threads and bend studs. Agree material evidence, surface acceptance and packing before ordering.

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.