Sourcing stainless steel sinks and baths from China
Sinks and washbasins of stainless steel, baths of cast iron or steel, and other iron or steel sanitary ware and parts from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Merchants expect test reports to the European standards for kitchen sinks and baths, and taps and wastes must suit UK water fittings rules. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
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Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, sinks and washbasins of stainless steel, baths of cast iron whether or not enamelled, other baths, and other sanitary ware of iron or steel including parts carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Ceramic and acrylic items have their own headings, covered in the acrylic baths guide. Confirm the commodity code. For laboratory applications, see our ceramic laboratory sink sourcing guide. For communal handwashing, see our guide to stainless steel commercial wash troughs.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel sinks and washbasins | 7324 10 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Cast iron baths | 7324 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other steel baths | 7324 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other iron or steel sanitary ware and parts | 7324 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Standards merchants expect
Ask for test reports against the European standards for kitchen sinks and for baths, EN 13310 and EN 14516, covering dimensions, load and resistance to heat and chemicals. Specify steel grade (304 is standard for sinks), thickness, bowl depth, sound deadening pads and the finish. For accompanying kitchen accessories, see our stainless steel dish racks guide.
Wastes and taps
Waste outlets, overflows and tap holes must suit UK pipe sizes, and taps and any fittings on the water supply must meet regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999; the taps and valves guide explains who carries that duty.
Worked duty example
For a made-up shipment of 1,500 stainless steel kitchen sinks under 7324 10 00 90, add the £3,500 of freight and insurance to the £42,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £45,500. Duty on stainless steel sinks is zero, leaving import VAT of £9,100, 20% of the customs value. For a VAT-registered buyer that is a cash-flow cost rather than a lasting one. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.
Inspection checklist
Steel and gauge: the stainless grade checked on samples with a handheld XRF analyser or a lab test so grade 201 is not supplied against a 304 order, thickness measured at the bowl, radius and deck, and corrosion resistance of the grade checked by salt spray to ISO 9227 where the order requires it.
Performance standards: kitchen sinks tested to BS EN 13310 and baths to BS EN 14516 for dimensions, load and resistance to heat and chemicals, with waste outlets and overflows fitted to BS EN 274 wastes to prove they suit UK plumbing.
Finish and packing: welds between bowl and deck inspected for pinholes and discolouration, flatness of the deck checked on a surface plate, satin or brushed finish compared with the approved sample, and protective film, corner protection and a carton drop test confirmed before shipment.
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What goes wrong
Stainless sinks fail on steel grade, gauge and welds. Grade 201 supplied against a 304 order stains and pits near salt and bleach, and a bowl pressed from thinner steel than specified drums and dents. Welds between bowl and deck that are not passivated show rust lines, sound deadening pads fall off, and waste outlets or overflow holes are drilled for sizes that do not suit UK wastes.
Check the grade on samples with a handheld analyser or a lab test, measure thickness at the bowl and deck, inspect weld seams and the finish under light, fit a UK waste and overflow to a sample, and drop-test the packed carton. Keep the protective film on until installation.
Packing and inspection
Stainless sinks scratch and dent in transit, so agree protective film, corner protection and drop tests. At inspection, check weld seams, flatness, film and waste fit.
Cambridge China Bridge sources stainless steel sinks, steel baths and commercial sanitary ware, with standards and fittings settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Worktops cut to take the sink are covered in our quartz worktops guide, including the silica controls fabricators need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on stainless steel sinks from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, stainless steel sinks and washbasins of heading 7324 carried 0% duty from China.
Which standards apply to steel sinks and baths?
Merchants expect test reports to EN 13310 for kitchen sinks and EN 14516 for baths.
What steel grade should a sink be?
304 stainless steel is the usual grade; specify thickness and finish too.
Do the Water Fittings Regulations apply?
To taps and fittings on the water supply, which must be of appropriate quality and standard under regulation 4.