Sourcing silicon bronze sheets from China
Silicon bronze sheets from China within heading 7409 carry 0% UK duty across the supplied tariff lines, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the alloy composition and thickness before choosing a code; the word bronze alone does not identify the alloy. Cambridge China Bridge sources silicon bronze sheets.
UK duty on silicon bronze sheets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7409 covers copper plates, sheets and strip exceeding 0.15 mm thick. For silicon bronze, check the other copper alloys line, 7409 90 00 00, against the mill's composition certificate. The table shows supply forms sharing this candidate line. See the aluminium bronze sheet guide for wider heading context.
Every line in the supplied heading extract carries 0% duty for goods from China. The other copper alloys line lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The heading's suspensions concern specified refined copper products, rather than silicon bronze sheets. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT.
Give your customs broker the composition certificate, thickness and supply form before confirming the commodity code. Keep the agreed alloy description consistent across the purchase order, invoice and mill certificate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon bronze sheets with mill edges | 7409 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify silicon bronze by composition and temper
Specify the alloy designation and agreed composition, including silicon and any other alloying elements. Ask for a batch-linked mill certificate rather than accepting bronze as the complete material description. State temper, thickness, width, length, dimensional tolerances, flatness, edge condition and surface finish. For coils, agree coil weight and inner diameter.
Tell the mill whether you will bend, stamp, weld or polish the sheet, and approve a sample using your intended process. Agree interleaving, moisture protection and support against bending in transit. UK REACH generally covers substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles; its restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on manufacture, sale or use. Ask for composition and coating information to assess applicable restrictions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of silicon bronze sheets for a fabrication business under 7409 90 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,800, so it is £4,560. 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
Material: match bundle identification to the mill certificate and purchase order; test composition where alloy identity is critical.
Temper: check hardness against the agreed condition and trial a sample bend using your intended tooling.
Dimensions: measure thickness across the sheet, check width and length, and inspect flatness and edge burrs.
Surface and packing: check scratches, oxidation, oil stains and bent corners; inspect interleaving and moisture protection before storage.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
An order described only as bronze leaves room for a different alloy to be supplied. The wrong temper can cause cracking during forming, while thin areas, bowed sheets and burrs create fabrication problems. Surface marks that seem minor on arrival can become visible after polishing.
Agree the composition and acceptance checks before production, and inspect the shipment against those terms. Retain a labelled sample and the batch certificate for repeat orders. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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 silicon bronze sheets from China?
The supplied tariff extract shows 0% on 7409 90 00 00 for goods from China, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the code against composition, thickness and supply form.
Which commodity code should I use for silicon bronze sheet?
Check 7409 90 00 00, other copper alloys, with your broker. Supply the composition certificate and dimensions; do not select a copper-tin bronze line solely because the supplier calls it bronze.
What should a silicon bronze mill certificate show?
Ask for the alloy designation, measured composition, temper and batch identification. Match it to the delivered bundles and any agreed hardness or mechanical test results.
How do I check whether silicon bronze sheets will bend without cracking?
Specify the temper and trial a sample with your intended tooling before approving production. On arrival, check batch identity and hardness against the agreed specification.