Sourcing nickel alloy profiles from China

2% duty on nickel alloy profiles

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7505 covers nickel bars, rods, profiles and wire. Nickel alloy extruded profiles fall within the alloy bars, rods and profiles line, 7505 12 00 00. The supplied data contains only this relevant commodity line, so the table has a single entry.

For goods from China, this line carries 2% duty. The supplied snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT for the calculation.

Confirm the commodity code using the alloy composition, cross-section drawing and supplied form. Nickel tubes are covered by heading 7507, so distinguish hollow products before declaring them as profiles. See the wider nickel guide for bars, wire and mesh.

Specify the alloy and extruded section

Send a dimensioned cross-section drawing with the alloy designation, purchase specification, delivery condition and surface finish. Define tolerances for wall thickness, flange width, corner radii, straightness, twist and cut length. Identify mating faces and any machining allowance. Ask the supplier to confirm extrusion as the manufacturing route and obtain approval before changing the route or alloy.

Ask for a heat-specific mill certificate stating chemical composition and mechanical properties. Agree the acceptance tests and keep certificate references linked to bundle tags. Check that the factory can measure the whole section, including internal corners, through factory verification.

UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles. Review the alloy and intended use before supply. If the eventual product involves prolonged skin contact, use the wider nickel guide as a starting point and confirm with HSE whether a nickel release restriction applies. Solid wood packaging used to import goods into Great Britain must meet ISPM15 international standards; include this in the packing brief.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 tonnes of nickel alloy extruded profiles; illustrative order, FOB value and freight including insurance under 7505 12 00 00, invoiced at £46,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £46,900. Duty at 2% is £938. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £47,838, so it is £9,567.60. Import taxes total £10,505.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £938 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Material: compare alloy identification results with the ordered grade and heat certificate; match heat numbers on certificates and bundle tags.

Section: measure wall thickness, flange width and corner radii against the drawing; check mating faces with the agreed gauge or sample assembly.

Condition: check straightness, twist and cut length; inspect for surface cracks, laps, heavy scale, gouges and damaged ends.

Packing: check supports prevent bending and straps do not damage contact faces; keep bundle identification readable and inspect solid wood packaging compliance.

What goes wrong

An alloy name on a quotation can conceal a different composition or delivery condition. A section can match its overall width while having thin walls, unsuitable corner radii or twisted mating faces. Generic certificates and mixed heat numbers make it difficult to trace the affected material.

Approve a sample section against the drawing, agree how long profiles will be supported during transport, and record arrival measurements before machining. Investigate mismatches before releasing the bundles to production. Use the quality inspection guide to set the inspection brief.

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.