Sourcing steel blind rivets from China
Steel blind rivets from China carry 0% UK duty under the supplied tariff data, with no listed trade remedy or import control. Check UK REACH Candidate List obligations and specify the body and mandrel separately before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel blind rivets.
UK duty on steel blind rivets
Heading 7318 covers iron and steel fasteners, including rivets. Steel blind rivets sit within the supplied rivet line, 7318 23 00 90. The table shows different rivet designs sharing that line, rather than separate tariff classifications. Threaded rivet nuts are a different product.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied rivet line carries 0% duty for goods from China. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control. The duty range for the designs shown is therefore 0%.
Give your customs broker the drawing and material specification to confirm the commodity code. For other fasteners, see screws, nuts, washers and custom fasteners.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-end steel blind rivets | 7318 23 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the body, mandrel and grip range
State the rivet body material and mandrel material separately. Specify body diameter, body length, head shape, head diameter, grip range, recommended hole size and dimensional tolerances. Identify whether the design is open-end or closed-end, and describe the coating and intended exposure.
Agree shear and tensile acceptance criteria, mandrel break behaviour and any retained-mandrel requirement. Trial samples in your actual sheet materials using the intended setting tool and nosepiece. Ask for material and coating declarations: inclusion of a substance on the UK REACH Candidate List brings obligations for suppliers.
For building applications, ask your compliance adviser to check the relevant designated standard and assessment route. Government guidance says products not covered or not fully covered by a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-carton order of steel blind rivets for a fabrication business under 7318 23 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,800, so it is £960. 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
Dimensions: measure body diameter, length and head geometry against the approved drawing; compare carton labels with the contents.
Setting: install sampled rivets in representative joints and check clamp-up, blind-side formation, mandrel break position and tool release.
Materials and finish: match batch documents to the agreed body and mandrel materials; inspect for rust, bare patches, burrs and damaged heads.
Joint performance: check agreed shear and tensile results and any mandrel retention or sealing claim. Record batches during quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A rivet outside its grip range can leave a loose joint or form the blind-side head poorly. A mandrel that breaks too early can leave inadequate clamp-up; a protruding break can obstruct the assembly. Trials should include the thinnest and thickest joint stacks you intend to use.
Material substitutions and inconsistent coatings can escape a visual sample check. Keep approved samples, drawings and batch records together. On arrival, isolate cartons with mixed sizes, corrosion or failed setting trials before releasing stock to production.
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 blind rivets from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% for 7318 23 00 90, with no listed trade remedy, suspension or attached import control.
Are blind rivets and rivet nuts the same product?
No. A blind rivet forms a permanent joint when its mandrel is pulled. A rivet nut provides a threaded attachment point; the supplied tariff lists blind rivet nuts separately.
What should I send a Chinese rivet factory?
Send the drawing, body and mandrel materials, grip range, head style, coating, joint materials, setting-tool details and agreed performance checks.
How do I check rivets before accepting a shipment?
Measure sampled rivets, match batch documents and carton contents, inspect the finish and run setting trials in representative joints using your production tool.