Sourcing steel canted-coil springs from China
Steel canted-coil springs from China carry 0% UK duty across the supplied heading 7320 lines. Confirm the code from the spring's construction and function; conformity marking depends on applicable product rules. Specify the groove, load direction and force over working deflection. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel canted-coil springs.
0% duty: confirm the spring classification
Heading 7320 covers springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel. Steel canted-coil springs are the focus here. The supplied tariff descriptions do not name them separately. The table shows classification branches to distinguish using the drawing and operating principle, rather than interchangeable codes for the same spring.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% third-country duty for goods from China. They list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or import control. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
Ask your customs broker to review the material, coil geometry, loading direction and whether the item is a separate spring or an assembly. Confirm the commodity code before shipment. For related ring springs within the wider heading, see sourcing garter springs.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil compression springs | 7320 20 81 90 | 0% | None |
| Coil tension springs | 7320 20 85 90 | 0% | None |
| Other helical springs | 7320 20 89 90 | 0% | None |
| Other iron or steel springs | 7320 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the canted coils and mating groove
Specify the steel grade, wire diameter, coil height and width, cant direction, free ring diameter or supplied length, and joint construction. Include the mating groove drawing, groove finish and installation method. State whether the spring is loaded radially or axially and give the acceptable force throughout the working deflection range.
Describe whether the spring retains a component, energises a seal or provides an electrical contact. Agree insertion and removal forces, permanent-set limits and repeated-use testing. For electrical contacts, agree resistance testing in the actual mating assembly and the surface finish. Approve samples in your own groove before releasing production.
For sale in Great Britain, conformity marking is only necessary where sector-specific regulations require it; not every product needs a marking. Check the applicable product rules for the intended supply form and use. Agree any supporting tests through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,500 steel canted-coil spring rings (illustrative; classification to be confirmed) under 7320 20 89 90, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,500, so it is £3,900. 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
Geometry: measure wire diameter, coil height and width, ring diameter and cant direction against the approved drawing. Check fit in a representative groove and look for twisted or collapsed coils.
Force and fit: record force through the specified working deflection using a calibrated fixture. Check insertion, retention and removal in the mating assembly, including behaviour after repeated installation.
Material and joint: match material certificates to the production batch. Inspect the closure joint for burrs, cracks and local stiffness; check that it does not catch during installation.
Finish and packing: check coating continuity, corrosion, surface damage and contamination. For contact springs, verify the agreed electrical test. On arrival, inspect separators and look for tangling or distortion. See quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A ring can match the specified diameter yet perform badly because the coils lean in the wrong direction or the groove compresses them beyond the intended working range. Excessive insertion force, weak retention or permanent deformation can follow. Check the spring and groove together rather than accepting dimensional inspection alone.
A stiff or burred closure joint can catch during assembly and create uneven loading around the ring. Plating damage and contamination can undermine contact performance. Keep the approved joint method, material and finish on the purchase drawing, and compare production samples with the approved assembly.
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 canted-coil springs from China?
The supplied heading 7320 lines carry 0% duty for China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact code from the spring drawing. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Which commodity code covers a steel canted-coil spring?
The supplied tariff descriptions do not name canted-coil springs separately. Give your broker the drawing, material, loading direction and operating principle to distinguish the relevant spring branch.
Do steel canted-coil springs need CE or UKCA marking?
Marking is required only where applicable sector-specific regulations require it. Check the product rules for the spring's intended supply form and use before accepting a supplier's marking claim.
What should I test before ordering canted-coil springs?
Test samples in the actual groove. Check force over working deflection, insertion and removal, joint behaviour and permanent set. Include electrical resistance testing where the spring serves as a contact.