Sourcing stainless steel hex bars from China
Stainless steel hexagonal bars from China have listed UK duty rates of 0% to 50%. Hot-rolled non-circular bars are listed at 0%; cold-finished bars at 50%, with quota relief described in the wider guide. Classification depends on processing and nickel content. Cambridge China Bridge sources stainless steel hexagonal bars.
Duty depends on processing and nickel content
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 7222 covers other stainless steel bars and rods, and stainless steel angles, shapes and sections. Hexagonal bars fall within its non-circular bar lines according to their processing and nickel content. See the wider stainless steel bars guide.
The supplied tariff facts list 0% for hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded non-circular bars and 50% for cold-formed or cold-finished non-circular bars. They record no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The wider published guide describes 0% quota relief for cold-finished bars; ask your broker to confirm availability before relying on it.
Confirm the manufacturing route and nickel analysis against the commodity code guide. The commodity code must appear on the import declaration. Confirm with HMRC whether these bars fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027; ask the mill for emissions data alongside its material certificates.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded hexagonal bar, nickel at least 2.5% | 7222 19 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded hexagonal bar, nickel below 2.5% | 7222 19 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Cold-formed or cold-finished hexagonal bar, nickel at least 2.5% | 7222 20 81 00 | 50% | None |
| Cold-formed or cold-finished hexagonal bar, nickel below 2.5% | 7222 20 89 00 | 50% | None |
Specify across-flats size and delivery condition
Specify the stainless grade, delivery condition and intended machining or fabrication use. State the across-flats dimension, its tolerance, corner profile, straightness, cut length and permitted end condition. Distinguish hot-rolled stock from cold-drawn bright bar rather than ordering simply by shape.
Request a mill inspection certificate showing heat number, chemistry, mechanical properties and heat treatment condition. Agree how heat numbers will remain identifiable after cutting and bundling. State the required surface finish and any application-specific testing in the purchase specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of hot-rolled stainless steel hexagonal bars; illustrative order under 7222 19 10 00, invoiced at £56,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £59,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £59,000, so it is £11,800. 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 sampled bar chemistry with the ordered grade and match bundle markings to the mill certificate and heat number.
Dimensions: measure across opposing flats along the bar, then check corner profile, straightness and cut length against the drawing.
Surface: check flats and corners for seams, laps, scratches and pickling residue; inspect cut ends for burrs and damage.
Packing: check bundle identification, separation of grades and protection against rubbing or bending. Record arrival findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes the nominal hexagon size without agreeing across-flats tolerance or corner profile. The bars arrive with rounded corners, twisted sections or inconsistent dimensions that disrupt machining. A bright surface can also distract from mismatched heat numbers or a substituted grade.
A hot-rolled quotation becomes a cold-drawn shipment without a classification review, changing the listed duty exposure. Record the actual processing route, approve dimensional samples and check certificates before loading. For cold-finished bars, confirm quota availability rather than budgeting on relief alone.
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 hexagonal bars from China?
The supplied tariff facts list 0% for hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded hexagonal bars and 50% for cold-formed or cold-finished bars. Confirm any quota relief with your broker.
Which commodity code covers cold-drawn stainless hexagonal bar?
For bars not further worked than cold-formed or cold-finished, the relevant non-circular lines are 7222 20 81 00 for nickel at least 2.5% and 7222 20 89 00 for nickel below 2.5%.
What dimensions should I specify for stainless hexagonal bar?
Specify across-flats size and tolerance, corner profile, straightness, cut length and end condition. Include a drawing where the bar must fit machining equipment or a finished assembly.
What should a stainless hexagonal bar mill certificate show?
Ask for heat number, chemical analysis, mechanical properties and heat treatment condition. Match the certificate to bundle markings and agree how traceability will survive cutting.