Sourcing nickel copper alloy bars from China

2% duty on nickel copper alloy bars

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7505 covers nickel bars, rods, profiles and wire. Nickel copper alloy bars fall within the nickel alloy bars, rods and profiles line, 7505 12 00 00, carrying 2% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or import control for this line.

The table shows bar shapes sharing the same commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Confirm composition and supplied form with your customs broker using our commodity code guide. Include the commodity code on the import declaration. For the wider heading, see our nickel chromium alloy bars guide.

Specify composition, condition and machining stock

Specify the alloy designation and agreed material specification, nickel and copper composition, section, diameter or width and thickness, dimensional tolerances, length and straightness. State whether bars are annealed or cold drawn, the required mechanical properties, surface finish and machining allowance. Agree how cut ends and bundles will be protected.

Ask for a heat-specific mill certificate stating composition and mechanical properties. Agree material identification tests before dispatch and repeat checks on arrival. If you have not previously manufactured or imported a particular substance, consider whether it requires UK REACH registration; clarify the position for the supplied material before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of nickel copper alloy round bars 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 sampled bars with the ordered nickel copper composition and the certificate for their heat.

Dimensions: measure section, length and straightness against the agreed tolerances, including the stock needed for machining.

Condition: compare hardness or tensile results with the ordered condition and inspect for cracks, deep scoring and damaged ends.

Traceability: match bundle tags to heat certificates and keep different heats identifiable after unpacking. Use our quality inspection guide to plan the checks.

What goes wrong

An alloy name on a quotation does not prove composition. Bars can arrive with a different nickel copper balance, the wrong condition or certificates that cannot be matched to the bundles. Dimensional variation and bent stock can leave too little material for machining.

Put composition, condition and acceptance checks into the purchase specification. Ask the supplier to resolve mismatched certificates before dispatch, and keep disputed stock separate on arrival until material and dimensional checks are complete.

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.