Sourcing stainless demister pads from China
Stainless steel wire mesh demister pads, if classified within heading 7314, carry 0% UK duty from China across the supplied tariff lines. Confirm the mesh construction and finished assembly before choosing a code, and agree performance for the actual process. Cambridge China Bridge sources stainless steel wire mesh demister pads.
Zero duty, subject to classification
Heading 7314 covers iron or steel wire cloth, grill, netting and fencing, plus expanded metal. Demister pads need particular care because knitted mesh differs from woven cloth. The table includes mesh and separately supplied supports relevant to pad procurement; it does not establish the classification of a complete framed assembly.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, every supplied line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel trade measure, suspension or attached import control. These findings apply to the recorded heading lines, subject to confirming the goods' classification.
Give your customs broker the mesh construction, material, drawings, function and details of any frame or support supplied with the pad. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. For the wider woven-mesh product family, see stainless steel woven filter mesh.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other uncoated wire cloth or netting, for knitted-mesh classification review | 7314 49 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Stainless steel woven cloth, where the supplied mesh is woven | 7314 14 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other welded wire mesh, for separately supplied support grids | 7314 39 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Expanded metal, for separately supplied support mesh | 7314 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the pad for the vessel and process
Specify the stainless alloy by its full material designation, wire diameter, knit structure, pad thickness, bulk density and finished dimensions. Include segment drawings, support grids, fastening points, installation orientation and the opening through which each segment must pass. State whether supports and frames use the same alloy as the mesh.
Give the supplier the gas and liquid properties, operating temperature, pressure, flow range and expected fouling. Agree the required droplet removal, acceptable pressure drop and the conditions supporting any performance claim. Ask for material certificates traceable to the mesh and supports, and retain an approved sample.
For pressure-vessel applications, ask the vessel designer to assess the pad and assembled equipment. HSE states that pressure-equipment regulations cover pressure equipment and assemblies with maximum allowable pressure above 0.5 bar. Agree the applicable compliance scope before ordering; use testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 60 stainless steel knitted-wire demister pads, assuming classification confirmed under 7314 49 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
Material: match batch labels and material certificates to the agreed alloy; arrange alloy verification where specified, including the support grids and frame.
Mesh: measure wire diameter, pad thickness and mass against the agreed dimensions and density; check for uneven packing, loose strands and damaged knitted loops.
Fit: check segment profiles, overall dimensions, joints, fastening positions and installation markings against the vessel drawing; trial-fit segments where practical.
Cleanliness and packing: check for oil, embedded debris, rust staining and loose wire; inspect supports and welds, and confirm that transit packing prevents permanent compression.
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What goes wrong
Pads can arrive with the correct outer dimensions but the wrong wire diameter or density. Uneven packing and gaps between segments allow gas to bypass the mesh. Excessive compression can increase pressure drop, while unsuitable alloy selection can cause corrosion in the actual process.
A pad that fits the vessel diameter may still be impossible to install through its access opening. Resolve segment size, assembly sequence and support attachment on drawings before production. Separate dimensional acceptance from process-performance acceptance; photographs and a material certificate alone do not demonstrate droplet removal.
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 demister pads from China?
The supplied heading 7314 lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the actual pad or assembly belongs within those lines.
Is knitted demister mesh the same as woven filter mesh?
No. Knitted mesh uses interlocking wire loops; woven mesh has crossing wires. Give the broker the actual construction rather than relying on the supplier's description of stainless steel mesh.
Does a demister pad need UKCA marking?
Ask the vessel designer to assess the pad and assembled equipment against the applicable pressure-equipment scope. The tariff heading alone does not settle the marking question.
What should I check when demister pads arrive?
Check alloy traceability, wire diameter, thickness, mass, packing uniformity, segment fit and supports. Look for loose wire, contamination and permanent compression from transport.