Sourcing gastronorm trays from China

UK duty on stainless steel gastronorm trays

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, heading 7323 covers iron or steel table, kitchen and household articles. Stainless steel gastronorm trays are candidates for 7323 93 00 90, the other stainless steel line. Its duty on goods from China is 0%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel measure recorded. The table shows product variants within this same line.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls to this code. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For imports into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. If trays from China are scrap or their waste status is uncertain, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual tray, material and intended use. For other catering products, see sourcing catering equipment.

Specify steel, rim geometry and equipment fit

Agree the stainless steel grade, sheet thickness, external rim dimensions, depth, corner radii and surface finish in a drawing. State whether trays are solid or perforated, how they nest and whether lids are included. Send an approved sample or equipment opening dimensions so the factory can check fit in your serving counter, oven or rack.

Food-contact materials must be safe and suitable for their intended use. Ask for material identification and food-contact safety evidence covering the finished tray and your intended foods, contact temperatures and duration. Agree checks for acidic foods, repeated heating and dishwasher cleaning with the laboratory through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 900 stainless steel gastronorm trays under 7323 93 00 90, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,400, so it is £1,680. 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: compare steel identification, measured thickness and finish with the approved specification; investigate substitutions before accepting the shipment.

Fit: measure rim dimensions and depth, try trays and lids in the buyer's equipment, and check that nested trays separate without force.

Edges and surfaces: inspect rolled rims, corners and perforations for burrs, cracks, trapped polishing residue and sharp edges.

Use and packing: run agreed heating and washing checks, look for distortion or corrosion, and inspect arrival cartons for dents. Record findings against the approved sample during quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A tray can match the catalogue description yet sit badly in the equipment because the rim profile or corner shape differs. Thin sheet can distort during heating, tightly nested trays can jam, and rough perforations can snag cleaning cloths. Check actual samples in the intended equipment before approving production.

Material substitutions, polishing residue and surface defects can undermine the agreed food-contact evidence. Ask the factory to identify changes before shipment, retain an approved sample and compare arrival stock with the specification. Protect rims and corners in transit so freight damage does not become a fit problem.

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.