Sourcing stainless armouring tape from China
Stainless steel cable armouring tape from China carries 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 7220 lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Classify the flat strip by width, thickness, nickel content and processing, rather than its cable use alone. Cambridge China Bridge sources stainless steel cable armouring tape.
Duty and classification for armouring tape
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7220 covers flat-rolled stainless steel less than 600 mm wide. The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control.
The table covers cold-rolled flat tape without further working. Confirm thickness, nickel content and consignment country against the mill certificate when choosing the commodity code. Describe any corrugation, perforation or other processing to your broker before classification. For the wider product family, see stainless steel banding strip.
The UK carbon border adjustment mechanism starts on 1 January 2027; confirm with HMRC whether heading 7220 falls within its iron and steel scope. Ask the mill for production emissions information and assess your position using our UK carbon border guide. Recheck the tariff before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-rolled tape, thickness ≤0.35 mm, nickel ≥2.5%, other consignments | 7220 20 81 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled tape, thickness ≤0.35 mm, nickel <2.5%, other consignments | 7220 20 89 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled tape, thickness >0.35 mm and <3 mm, nickel ≥2.5%, other consignments | 7220 20 41 90 | 0% | None |
| Cold-rolled tape, thickness >0.35 mm and <3 mm, nickel <2.5%, other consignments | 7220 20 49 90 | 0% | None |
Specify tape for the cable winding process
State the stainless grade, thickness, slit width and tolerances, hardness or temper, surface finish and edge condition. Agree coil inner diameter, outer diameter, winding direction, maximum coil weight and whether joints are permitted. Give the supplier the cable maker's drawing and winding requirements, including whether the tape will be corrugated before application.
Approve a sample on the intended winding equipment. Check that it feeds without wandering, wraps without cracking and does not damage the underlying cable layers. Ask for a mill certificate showing heat identity, chemistry and mechanical results, with coil labels linked to that certificate.
Ask for alloy composition and details of any coating or surface treatment when checking UK REACH Candidate List status. Inclusion of a substance on that list brings supplier obligations; assess the actual material before resale.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative stock order: 20 tonnes of cold-rolled stainless steel cable armouring tape under 7220 20 41 90, invoiced at £48,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £49,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £49,800, so it is £9,960. 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 identity: match coil labels and heat references to the mill certificate; independently check composition against the ordered grade.
Dimensions and edges: measure thickness and slit width along sampled coils; inspect burrs, edge cracks and camber against the agreed limits.
Winding performance: unwind samples and check coil build, telescoping, joints and consistent feeding; trial the tape around the intended cable construction.
Surface and packing: check for rust staining, embedded debris, scratches and moisture; confirm edge protection and readable coil labels. Use our quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A supplier treats armouring tape as ordinary slit strip and ships edges that cut the cable bedding, or a temper that cracks during wrapping. Camber causes the tape to wander, uneven winding disrupts feeding, and unreported joints interrupt production. Agree acceptance criteria and retain an approved sample before ordering.
A certificate for the parent coil does not establish which slit coils were delivered unless the labels preserve traceability. Keep suspect coils separate and compare their labels, measurements and composition with the purchase specification before using them.
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 stainless steel cable armouring tape from China?
The relevant heading 7220 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT is separate.
Which commodity code covers stainless cable armouring tape?
For flat cold-rolled tape, check thickness, nickel content and consignment country. Width must be less than 600 mm for heading 7220. Describe any further processing to your broker.
What should I specify for slit edges?
Agree the edge condition and measurable burr limit with the cable maker. Inspect for sharp burrs and edge cracks, then trial the tape against the intended cable bedding.
How do I check the tape will run on my winding line?
Trial a sample coil on the intended equipment. Check feeding, camber, wrapping behaviour, coil build and joints against the cable maker's agreed acceptance criteria.