Sourcing stainless steel insect mesh from China

Zero duty on woven stainless steel insect mesh

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7314 covers iron or steel wire cloth, grill, netting and fencing, and expanded metal. Ordinary woven stainless steel insect mesh falls within 7314 14 00 00, other woven cloth of stainless steel. The table shows product variants sharing this commodity line.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty on goods from China throughout this heading. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel trade measure, suspension or attached import control. These findings describe the tariff record on the read date.

Send the broker the material specification, weave details, photographs and whether the goods are unframed mesh or assembled screens. Confirm the commodity code before shipment. For the wider product family, see stainless steel woven filter mesh.

Specify aperture, alloy and screen fit

Specify the stainless steel alloy by its full designation, wire diameter, clear opening between wires, weave, roll width and length, and permitted variation. Agree the target insects and approve a sample in the intended frame. A mesh count alone does not define the opening when wire diameters differ.

Agree the edge finish, flatness, colour or coating, cleaning method and packaging. Ask for material evidence tied to the production batch, and agree independent alloy checks where substitution would affect performance. Test the sample with the intended retaining strip and frame so the mesh stays tensioned without gaps.

For consumer products in Great Britain, importers are responsible for product safety; the general safety rules cover products intended or reasonably likely to be used by consumers. Assess exposed wire ends and cutting risks. Food Standards Agency premises guidance requires outside-opening windows and openings in food preparation areas to have insect-proof screens removable for cleaning. Design the complete screen accordingly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 60 rolls of woven stainless steel insect mesh under 7314 14 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,000, so it is £2,600. 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

Aperture and wire: measure clear openings and wire diameter across the roll and along its length; compare with the approved sample and agreed tolerances.

Weave and edges: inspect for missing wires, enlarged openings, loose strands, sharp ends and cuts that unravel during fitting.

Material and finish: match batch identification to the material evidence; check agreed alloy test results, surface contamination, rust staining and coating coverage where ordered.

Dimensions and packing: check roll width, usable length, creases and crushed edges on arrival; trial-fit a cut piece and confirm tension, perimeter sealing and removal for cleaning.

What goes wrong

A supplier can match the mesh count while using thinner wire, leaving larger openings and a less rigid screen. Missing wires and gaps around the frame allow insects through even when most of the cloth meets the specification. Compare the actual aperture and assembled fit with the approved sample.

Creased rolls can remain distorted after installation, while poorly finished edges shed strands during cutting. Surface contamination can produce staining that prompts complaints. Agree rejection criteria and packing that protects roll edges, then record defects before cutting the delivery into saleable pieces.

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.