Sourcing shipbuilding steel plate from China
Shipbuilding steel plate from China under heading 7208 has recorded UK duty of 0% to 50%, with separate residual anti-dumping of 73.70% or countervailing duty of 35.90% on relevant lines. Match the mill chemistry and dimensions to the tariff line and the shipyard specification before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources shipbuilding steel plate.
Plate duty, steel quotas and trade remedies
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7208 covers hot-rolled flat products of iron or non-alloy steel, at least 600 mm wide, without cladding, plating or coating. This guide concerns shipbuilding plate supplied as separate plates. Confirm the steel chemistry rather than classifying from the description “marine steel”. See the wider hot-rolled steel guide.
The selected thick-plate lines record 50% duty and 73.70% residual anti-dumping. Wide plate under 7208 52 91 10 records 0% duty but still carries 73.70% residual anti-dumping. The narrower plate under 7208 52 99 00 records 50%, 0.00% anti-dumping and 35.90% residual countervailing duty. The supplied snapshot lists no suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
For lines under the steel measure, quota availability can reduce the steel duty to 0%; separate trade remedies still need checking. Ask your broker to confirm quota availability, exporter treatment and the declaration-day position. Confirm the commodity code using chemistry, thickness, width and processing, with the mill certificate and plate schedule.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, over 15 mm thick | 7208 51 20 10 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, over 10 to 15 mm thick, width 2 050 mm or more | 7208 51 91 10 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, over 10 to 15 mm thick, width under 2 050 mm | 7208 51 98 10 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, 4.75 to 10 mm thick, width 2 050 mm or more | 7208 52 91 10 | 0% | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Other hot-rolled plate, 4.75 to 10 mm thick, width under 2 050 mm | 7208 52 99 00 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
Hull plate grade, toughness and traceability
Specify the hull or deck location, steel grade, delivery condition, thickness, width, length and dimensional tolerances. Agree impact-test temperature and acceptance criteria, weldability information, and any ultrasonic examination with the shipyard. Ask the shipyard to confirm its required classification society acceptance and certificate format before approving a mill.
Agree how heat numbers and plate identities will remain traceable through cutting. Request certificates showing chemistry, mechanical results and delivery condition for the supplied heats. Define edge preparation, surface condition and any shop primer separately. Use factory verification to check the mill's ability to supply the agreed material and records.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of non-alloy shipbuilding steel plate, illustrative order under 7208 52 91 10, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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 plate markings and heat numbers to the packing list, mill certificates and shipyard plate schedule.
Dimensions: measure thickness, width, length and flatness against the order, including edges and areas affected by handling.
Properties: check chemistry, tensile and impact results against the ordered grade and condition; review agreed ultrasonic examination records.
Arrival condition: inspect for pitting, scale, edge cracks, distortion and wet packing before cutting or welding. Record findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier substitutes general structural plate for the shipyard's specified material, supplies the wrong delivery condition, or loses heat traceability during cutting. Impact results may relate to a different heat or test condition. Keep affected plates separate until the shipyard has reviewed the evidence. Width and thickness errors can also change the tariff line and landed cost.
UK Russia sanctions prohibit imports of relevant processed iron and steel products. Ask your broker whether Russian inputs bring the proposed plate within that prohibition before shipment. Government guidance also advises contractual assurances that imports are not of Russian origin. Agree origin evidence with the mill alongside the technical certificates.
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 shipbuilding steel plate from China?
The selected lines record 0% or 50% duty. Relevant lines also carry 73.70% residual anti-dumping or 35.90% residual countervailing duty. Check the exact line and any steel quota with your broker.
Is ordinary structural steel suitable for a ship's hull?
Do not approve a substitution from the grade name alone. Ask the shipyard to accept the grade, delivery condition, toughness results and certification for the intended hull location.
Does a steel quota remove anti-dumping duty?
Quota availability can reduce the steel duty, but separate trade remedies still need checking. Confirm the exporter and any invoice declaration needed for its applicable rate.
What documents should accompany shipbuilding plate?
Request heat-linked mill certificates, a plate schedule and agreed test records. Ask your broker what origin evidence is needed to check Russia sanctions, and agree contractual origin assurances.