Sourcing oil-well production tubing from China
Seamless oil-well production tubing from China pays 0% UK duty across the selected lines. Declare the commodity code matching the material, diameter and carbon equivalent, and agree the well-service specification before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources seamless oil-well production tubing.
UK duty on seamless production tubing
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7304 covers seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron other than cast iron, or steel. Production tubing carries produced fluids inside the well casing. The selected tariff branches cover casing and tubing together; the table describes their application to production tubing. For the related product family, see seamless steel oil-well casing.
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China on every selected line, with no steel measure, anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. This describes the recorded tariff position. Review future orders against the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism guide: the mechanism starts on 1 January 2027. Ask the mill what production-emissions information it can supply.
You must include the commodity code on the import declaration. Give your customs broker the steel composition, outside diameter, circular cross-section and intended oil-well use. For the carbon-equivalent branches, obtain chemical analysis and the calculation specified in the tariff description. Confirm the classification using finding your commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless circular tubing, diameter up to 406.4 mm, carbon equivalent up to 0.86 | 7304 24 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Other stainless steel oil-well tubing | 7304 24 00 80 | 0% | None |
| Other steel circular tubing, diameter up to 168.3 mm, carbon equivalent up to 0.86 | 7304 29 10 20 | 0% | None |
| Other non-stainless oil-well tubing, diameter up to 168.3 mm | 7304 29 10 80 | 0% | None |
Specify the tubing string and connections
Agree the steel grade, heat treatment, outside diameter, wall thickness, length range and connection drawing with the buyer's well engineer. State whether ends are upset, the coupling material, thread profile, sealing arrangement and required thread protectors. Describe the intended pressure, temperature, loading and corrosive fluids, including sour service where relevant.
The well operator is responsible for well and site safety. Have that operator's engineer review the tubing specification before purchase. Request heat-linked mill certificates, chemical and mechanical test results, dimensional records, thread-gauge results and the agreed pressure and non-destructive test records. Treat these as purchase acceptance documents and make the acceptance criteria explicit.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order: 6 tonnes of seamless oil-well production tubing under 7304 29 10 80, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,000, so it is £4,400. 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
Identity: match tube markings and heat numbers to the mill certificates, packing list and ordered grade. Keep bundle identity traceable when stock is split.
Dimensions: check outside diameter, wall thickness, length, straightness and ovality against the agreed drawing. Use the agreed drift check to verify the internal passage.
Connections: inspect threads and sealing faces for dents, burrs, corrosion and galling. Check gauge records, coupling identity and protector fit before packing and again on arrival.
Tests and packing: match test records to the supplied heats and lengths. Check for missing protectors, damaged ends, wet bundles and unsuitable lifting arrangements. Set these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A matching nominal diameter can hide the wrong wall, heat treatment or connection. A tube may pass a dimensional check while its coupling does not match the mating equipment. Generic certificates also leave the delivered heat unverified. Compare the actual markings and records with the approved purchase specification.
Thread damage, internal scale and corrosion can make tubing unsuitable for assembly or service. Photograph arrival damage before unpacking, separate questionable lengths and ask the buyer's engineer to assess them before installation. Agree repair and rejection procedures before shipment.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on Chinese production tubing?
The selected seamless oil-well tubing lines show 0% duty for China, with no steel measure or trade remedies in the supplied tariff record. Confirm the exact code before shipment.
Is production tubing classified separately from casing?
The selected tariff branches cover casing and tubing together. Material, outside diameter and the carbon-equivalent description determine the relevant line.
Which documents should I ask the Chinese mill for?
Request heat-linked mill certificates, chemical and mechanical results, dimensional checks, thread-gauge records and the pressure and non-destructive test records agreed in your purchase specification.
What should I inspect when the tubing arrives?
Check heat identity, wall thickness, straightness, internal passage, threads, sealing faces and protectors. Compare arrival condition with shipment photographs and separate damaged lengths.