Sourcing nickel sputtering targets from China

Duty on nickel sputtering targets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 November 2026, heading 7508 covers other articles of nickel. Its other-articles line, 7508 90 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. The table shows target configurations against the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls to this line. Waste shipment controls only apply where the material is waste. For targets from China, especially spent targets bought for recovery, ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control and the applicable waste procedure before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using composition, finished form and any backing assembly. Do not classify solely from the supplier's target description. See the wider nickel guide for bars, wire and mesh.

Specify purity, cathode fit and backing bonds

Specify nickel purity, individual impurity limits and the analytical method. Ask for a batch-specific composition report with detection limits, rather than a purity statement alone. Agree whether purity is reported on a metals-only basis and how gaseous impurities are addressed.

Send the cathode drawing and specify target diameter or outline, thickness, flatness, mounting details and surface finish. For bonded targets, define backing material, bond method, bond coverage and the inspection report. Ask the supplier to confirm suitability for your cathode, including magnetic behaviour.

Check UK REACH applicability before ordering: registration covers substances alone, substances in mixtures and certain limited cases involving substances in articles. Ask a chemicals adviser to assess the supplied target rather than assuming that its machined shape settles the question.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2 nickel sputtering targets under 7508 90 00 00, invoiced at £1,200 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,100. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,100, so it is £420. 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

Composition: match target identifiers to batch reports and arrange independent impurity testing where process performance depends on purity.

Fit: measure thickness, outline, flatness and mounting features against the approved cathode drawing.

Bond: review bond inspection evidence and examine the backing assembly for separation, distortion or damage.

Surface and packing: check for scratches, inclusions, residues and broken protective packaging. Record findings using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A headline purity claim can hide an unsuitable impurity profile or a report for a different batch. A target can meet its nominal dimensions yet fail to seat in the cathode because the mounting recess, edge profile or backing assembly differs from the drawing.

Poor bonding, warped backing plates and contaminated surfaces can interrupt coating trials. Agree acceptance evidence before production, retain batch identity through packing and trial the target on your own equipment before accepting repeat supply.

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.