Sourcing copper cathodes and alloy ingots from China
Unwrought refined copper and copper alloys from China, including cathodes, wire-bars, billets and brass or bronze ingots, pay 0% UK duty on all seven lines of heading 7403, with no anti-dumping duty. The risk is in the metal: purity or alloy composition, assay certificates you can trust, weights, and payment terms on a high-value commodity.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 7403 covers refined copper and copper alloys, unwrought. All seven lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Copper rod and bar are heading 7407, covered in our brass and copper rod guide, and wire in our copper wire guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper cathodes and sections of cathodes | 7403 11 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Copper wire-bars | 7403 12 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Copper billets | 7403 13 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Refined copper, other unwrought | 7403 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Brass (copper-zinc) alloys, unwrought | 7403 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Bronze (copper-tin) alloys, unwrought | 7403 22 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other copper alloys, unwrought | 7403 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying the metal
For refined copper, specify the copper content and the permitted impurities, the form (cathode, billet or wire-bar) and dimensions, and the bundle or pallet weight. For alloys, specify the alloy designation and its composition limits, including lead content where the metal will be used in drinking water fittings or food contact parts.
Ask for an assay or mill certificate per lot, and agree that an independent assay on samples taken at loading decides any dispute.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of brass ingots for a UK foundry under 7403 21 00 00, invoiced at £110,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £111,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £111,800, so it is £22,360. 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: take samples at loading for independent assay against the specification.
Weight: witness weighing of bundles or pallets, and check counts and markings against the packing list.
Condition: check cathodes for nodules and contamination and ingots for dross and cavities. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Metal orders fail on composition, weight and payment. Alloy composition drifts outside limits, lead content is higher than agreed, bundle weights are short, and on a commodity at this value a buyer paying in full before loading has no leverage.
Cambridge China Bridge sources copper and alloy ingots for UK foundries and mills with independent assay and witnessed weighing agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on copper cathodes from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, all seven lines of heading 7403 carried 0% from China.
Are brass ingots in the same heading as copper cathodes?
Yes. Heading 7403 covers both refined copper and unwrought copper alloys such as brass and bronze.
How do I check the copper purity?
Take samples at loading for an independent assay and compare it with the supplier's certificate.
Does lead content matter in brass?
Yes, where the brass will be used in drinking water fittings or food contact parts; specify the limit in the contract.