Sourcing nails, staples and tacks from China
Nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails and similar articles of iron or steel from China, including collated coil and strip nails, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Nails used in structural timber work are specified to the dowel-type fastener standard BS EN 14592, and collated nails must match the nail gun. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Nails in coils and strips, loose nails, tacks, drawing pins and corrugated nails of iron or steel pay 0% UK duty from China. Standards and a worked example.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, nails of iron or steel wire in strips or coils, other wire nails, and other nails, tacks, drawing pins and similar articles of heading 7317 carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Staples in strips for staplers are in heading 8305, and screws and bolts in 7318; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire nails in strips or coils | 7317 00 20 00 | 0% | None |
| Other wire nails | 7317 00 60 00 | 0% | None |
| Other nails, tacks and drawing pins | 7317 00 80 00 | 0% | None |
Standards and coatings
Nails for structural timber connections are dowel-type fasteners under BS EN 14592, a designated standard under the retained Construction Products Regulation, so they need a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking. Specify shank type (smooth, ring or screw), head, diameter, length and coating: hot-dip galvanised or stainless nails are needed for treated timber and outdoor work, because electro-galvanised nails rust.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 25 tonnes of collated coil nails under 7317 00 20 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,000, so it is £4,800. 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.
What goes wrong
Nails fail in the gun and in the wood. Collation angle, strip type (paper, plastic or wire) and head shape must match the nail gun or they jam; heads that are too small or off-centre pull through; soft wire bends when driven into hardwood; thin zinc coatings rust and stain timber.
At inspection, gauge diameter and length, test-fire samples in the target gun, check collation and coating thickness, and weigh boxes against the stated count or weight.
Cambridge China Bridge sources collated and loose nails, tacks and fixings, with gun compatibility, coating and standards settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on nails from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, nails of heading 7317, including collated coil nails, carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do structural nails need UKCA marking?
Yes. They are dowel-type fasteners under BS EN 14592, a designated standard, so they need a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking.
Why do collated nails jam?
Collation angle, strip type or head shape does not match the gun; test-fire samples in the target tool.
Are stapler staples in heading 7317?
No. Staples in strips for staplers are in heading 8305.