Sourcing steel aerosol cans from China
Empty steel aerosol cans classified under heading 7310 carry 0% UK duty from China across the relevant lines. Confirm the code for the can as imported and agree the filling specification; finished aerosols need separate attention to compliance marking and contents. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel aerosol cans.
Duty on empty steel aerosol cans
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, the relevant heading 7310 lines carry 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff data show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel trade measure on these lines. Heading 7310 covers iron or steel containers of up to 300 litres, excluding containers for compressed or liquefied gas.
This guide concerns empty steel aerosol cans for filling. The table gives classification alternatives, rather than interchangeable codes: closure construction and wall thickness matter. The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to these lines. Confirm the applicable requirement and declaration with your customs broker. Products containing banned fluorinated gases must not be placed on the Great Britain market.
Give your broker the can drawing, capacity, wall thickness, closure method and confirmation of whether it arrives empty or filled. Use finding your commodity code before ordering. See metal cans, drums and tins for the wider heading. Confirm with the relevant authority whether your metal packaging purchases create packaging producer responsibility reporting obligations, using the published wider guide as a starting point.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other soldered or crimped cans, wall below 0.5 mm | 7310 21 91 00 | 0% | None |
| Other soldered or crimped cans, wall 0.5 mm or more | 7310 21 99 00 | 0% | None |
| Other steel containers, wall below 0.5 mm | 7310 29 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other steel containers, wall 0.5 mm or more, other | 7310 29 90 90 | 0% | None |
Agree the can, valve and filling specification
Specify tinplate grade, body thickness, diameter, height, brimful capacity, valve opening and neck profile. Agree the welded body seam, top and bottom seams, internal lacquer, external coating and print artwork. Ask the filler to approve the can drawing and samples against its valve, crimping equipment, formulation and propellant.
For finished aerosol dispensers placed on the Great Britain market, either UKCA or the reversed epsilon marking can be used. Agree with the filler who checks the finished dispenser's marking and supporting evidence. A printed compliance symbol on an empty can does not establish that the intended filled product has been assessed.
Approve a filling trial before committing to printed production. Ask for results on leakage, pressure performance and lacquer compatibility with the intended contents. Set acceptance criteria with the filler and arrange testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order only: 20,000 empty printed steel aerosol cans; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 7310 21 91 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,500, so it is £2,700. 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
Body and seams: compare dimensions and wall thickness with the approved drawing; examine weld continuity, seam formation, dents and exposed metal.
Valve fit: check the opening and neck profile with the agreed gauges; use trial cans to confirm valve seating and crimping on the intended filling line.
Lacquer and performance: inspect opened samples for bare spots, coating damage and contamination; match compatibility and pressure reports to the supplied can construction.
Print and arrival condition: compare artwork and colour with the approved sample; check scratches, rust, distorted rims and carton protection during quality inspection. Retain batch identification for any rejected stock.
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What goes wrong
A can can match the artwork yet fail on the filling line because its valve opening or neck profile differs from the approved sample. Poor welds and damaged seams can leak; an unsuitable lacquer can react with the contents. Thin bodies and unsupported rims can dent during transport.
Buying cans and valves separately without a filling trial leaves compatibility unresolved. Keep an approved can-and-valve sample with the filler, agree how production changes are reported, and compare arrival stock with that sample before filling.
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 steel aerosol cans from China?
The relevant empty steel can lines under heading 7310 carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff data, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the classification of the actual goods.
Do steel aerosol cans need CE marking?
Official aerosol guidance identifies UKCA or the reversed epsilon marking for finished dispensers placed on the Great Britain market. Agree the finished-product marking with the filler.
Can I use the same can for different formulations?
Do not assume compatibility. Ask the filler to approve the internal lacquer, valve components and pressure performance for each intended formulation and propellant.
What should I check before ordering printed aerosol cans?
Approve the drawing, valve fit, internal lacquer and filling trial before printing. Check seams, print and protective packing against the approved sample.