Sourcing silver sputtering targets from China
Silver sputtering targets entered as semi-manufactured silver under heading 7106 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no recorded trade remedies. Targets intended for scientific or industrial use are exempt from compulsory hallmarking. Check purity and equipment fit. Cambridge China Bridge sources silver sputtering targets.
Duty on silver sputtering targets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7106 covers silver, including silver plated with gold or platinum, in unwrought, semi-manufactured or powder form. All supplied lines carry 0% duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duties or suspensions. The supplied file contains only a single semi-manufactured line relevant to finished target blanks, so the table uses that line without adding unrelated goods. For silver in flake form, see our silver flakes sourcing guide.
No import controls are recorded against the semi-manufactured line. The powder line has import and export waste controls attached. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. If importing waste powder from China, confirm the applicable notification and consent requirements with your customs broker before shipping; do not apply the powder entry automatically to a finished target.
Treat 7106 92 00 00 as a candidate for an unbacked silver target. Give your broker the composition, drawing and details of any backing plate or bond to confirm the commodity code. See the silver electroplating anodes guide for wider heading context and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-manufactured silver, including unbacked sputtering target blanks | 7106 92 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify purity, geometry and backing
Specify silver purity and individual impurity limits, with a batch certificate naming the analytical method. Agree whether purity is reported on a metals-only basis or includes other impurities. State the manufacturing route, target dimensions, flatness, surface finish, edge profile and equipment drawing reference.
For a bonded target, specify the backing material, bond material, bond coverage, inspection method and operating conditions. Agree how the supplier will demonstrate bond integrity. Ask for separate silver and backing weights, clean handling and packaging that protects the working face.
The Hallmarking Act exempts articles intended for scientific or industrial purposes from compulsory hallmarking. Record the intended sputtering use and retain the material test results. Before importing silver for a new use, consider whether UK REACH registration applies rather than assuming that a machined shape settles the question.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 unbacked silver target discs, illustrative order under 7106 92 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,800, so it is £6,160. 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 the certificate to the target batch and arrange independent analysis against the agreed purity and impurity limits.
Geometry: measure diameter or length, thickness, flatness and mounting features against the approved equipment drawing.
Surface and bond: inspect for scratches, embedded particles and machining residue; review agreed bond inspection results where a backing plate is fitted.
Traceability and packing: reconcile silver weight, target identifiers and batch records; inspect sealed wrapping and face protection. Set the sampling scope using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A certificate stating only overall purity can conceal an impurity that matters to the deposited film. A target can match the nominal diameter yet fail to seat because of its edge profile or thickness. Residue, inclusions and surface damage can cause particles or unstable operation; gaps in a backing bond can impair heat transfer.
Approve the drawing and analysis method before production, then trial a sample in the intended sputtering system. Agree acceptance checks for the deposited film as well as the target. Keep rejected targets separate until the supplier has identified the cause and agreed a remedy.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on silver sputtering targets from China?
The supplied tariff reading shows 0% for semi-manufactured silver under 7106 92 00 00, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for the target as supplied.
Do silver sputtering targets need a UK hallmark?
Articles intended for scientific or industrial purposes are exempt from compulsory hallmarking. Retain evidence of the target's intended use and test its silver composition separately.
What should a silver target certificate show?
The batch identity, silver purity, individual impurity results and analytical method. Agree how purity is calculated and match the certificate to the delivered target.
How do I check a bonded silver target?
Check the backing and bond materials, dimensions and agreed bond inspection results. Trial the target under the intended operating conditions before accepting repeat production.