Sourcing steel cavity wall lintels from China
Steel cavity wall lintels from China fall within heading 7308, whose supplied lines all carry 0% UK duty. For sale in Great Britain, check construction-product performance documents and the applicable marking route. Match load evidence to the exact lintel profile and intended installation. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel cavity wall lintels.
UK duty on steel cavity wall lintels
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied heading 7308 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. Heading 7308 covers iron or steel structures and their parts. The supplied data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel trade measure for the candidate lintel codes.
Sheet-based designs may fall under 7308 90 59 90; other fabricated designs may fall under 7308 90 98 90. Neither candidate line has an attached import control in the supplied data. The table repeats these candidate codes for different designs; it does not represent separate tariff subdivisions. Confirm the finished product using its drawings, materials and construction through finding your commodity code.
Import VAT is normally 20%. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether and when the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism applies to goods under heading 7308; request steel-source and emissions information when planning orders. See import duty and VAT. For a different lintel material, compare precast concrete lintels.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet-based steel cavity wall lintels, subject to classification | 7308 90 59 90 | 0% | None |
| Other fabricated steel cavity wall lintels, subject to classification | 7308 90 98 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the cavity, load and bearing arrangement
Give the factory drawings showing opening span, overall length, end bearings, cavity width, inner and outer leaf widths, profile and orientation. State the load arrangement, including any floor or roof load, and ask the project engineer to review the proposed lintel and its installation assumptions. Specify steel grade, thickness, corrosion protection, insulation and packing supports.
Request a declaration of performance, the applicable lintel product standard, supporting load evidence and installation instructions for the exact model. Check the construction-product marking route for Great Britain. CE marking remains available; confirm with the relevant authority whether UKCA is appropriate for the exact product and what requirements apply. Have the factory identify the lintel-specific standard rather than assume that a general structural-steel certificate covers the product.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order, not a quote: 300 sheet-based steel cavity wall lintels under 7308 90 59 90, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,000, so it is £4,400. 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 length, cavity profile, bearing surfaces and steel thickness against the approved drawings; check straightness and twist before shipment and on arrival.
Fabrication: inspect welds, folded edges and joints against the agreed specification; match steel certificates and load evidence to the supplied model.
Protection: check galvanising or coating against the agreed specification, including weld areas and cut edges; look for transport damage, exposed steel and displaced insulation.
Identification: match product labels, bundle contents, performance documents and installation instructions to the order. Record arrival damage before moving stock into storage. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
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What goes wrong
A lintel can fit the opening yet have the wrong cavity profile or load arrangement. A supplier's load table may relate to a different steel thickness, bearing detail or installation method. Resolve these differences before production; do not accept a similar-looking model as a substitute.
Unsupported bundles can arrive bent, and rubbing can damage corrosion protection. Missing model identification makes performance evidence difficult to match to stock. Agree bundle supports, surface protection and document matching before shipment, then isolate damaged or unidentified lintels for review.
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 cavity wall lintels from China?
The supplied heading 7308 data shows 0% duty. Candidate codes 7308 90 59 90 and 7308 90 98 90 have no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
Which commodity code should I use for steel cavity wall lintels?
Consider 7308 90 59 90 for sheet-based designs and 7308 90 98 90 for other fabricated designs. Have your customs broker confirm classification from the finished-product drawings and materials.
Can CE-marked steel lintels be sold in Great Britain?
CE marking remains available for construction products in Great Britain. Check that the declaration of performance and supporting assessment match the exact lintel supplied and its intended use.
What should I send a Chinese lintel factory?
Send drawings, cavity and leaf widths, opening span, bearing details, load arrangement, steel specification, corrosion protection and insulation details. Ask for model-specific load evidence and installation instructions.