Sourcing steel chlorine cylinders from China
Steel chlorine cylinders from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant heading 7311 lines, with no anti-dumping duty or steel measure in the supplied tariff data. For cylinders used to carry chlorine, confirm conformity assessment, inspection and marking requirements with the relevant authority before filling and carriage. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel chlorine cylinders.
2% duty on steel chlorine cylinders
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7311 covers iron or steel containers for compressed or liquefied gas. This guide concerns empty steel cylinders intended for chlorine service. The selected lines are classification alternatives based on construction, pressure and water capacity, rather than codes dedicated to chlorine.
The relevant lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no steel measure recorded. The listed suspension applies only to specified empty portable medical oxygen cylinders, so it does not cover chlorine cylinders. The UK Trade Tariff also attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The importer should confirm the declaration requirement for empty chlorine cylinders with their customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the cylinder drawing, construction, pressure and water capacity. The wider gas cylinder guide explains the heading. Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether these steel gas-container lines fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027, and consult our UK carbon border guide. Ask the factory for steel-source and emissions information before ordering.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other seamless refillable high-pressure steel cylinders | 7311 00 30 80 | 2% | None |
| Other seamless steel gas cylinders, other | 7311 00 30 85 | 2% | None |
| Other steel gas containers, including welded cylinders, under 1 000 litres | 7311 00 91 00 | 2% | None |
| Other steel gas containers of 1 000 litres or more | 7311 00 99 00 | 2% | None |
Specify chlorine service and the valve connection
State that the order is for empty chlorine-service cylinders. Specify seamless or welded construction, steel grade, heat treatment, working and test pressure, water capacity, tare weight, dimensions and handling arrangement. Agree the valve materials, seals, neck thread and outlet connection with the intended chlorine filling supplier. Include drawings for the valve guard or cap, and agree internal cleanliness, drying and closure before packing.
For cylinders used to carry gas by road, confirm conformity assessment, inspection and marking requirements with the relevant authority before filling and carriage. For new cylinders supplied directly into Great Britain, agree the Rho marking route before production. Ask for the certificate covering the exact cylinder design and the batch inspection records. Have the intended filling supplier review that package before ordering; a matching thread alone does not establish suitability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of empty welded steel chlorine cylinders under 7311 00 91 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £2,560 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,560. Duty at 2% is £211.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,771.20, so it is £2,154.24. Import taxes total £2,365.44; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £211.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Documents: match the design certificate, batch test records and cylinder serial numbers to the actual shipment; check the agreed conformity marking.
Valves and connections: gauge neck threads, compare outlet connections with the approved drawing, and verify the specified valve materials and seals.
Interior and finish: check sampled empty cylinders for moisture, scale and corrosion, and review the factory's drying and closure records. Moisture in chlorine can rapidly corrode steel.
Handling and packing: inspect valve guards, caps, lifting or support features and restraints for damage or movement. Repeat the external condition check on arrival. Use our inspection guide to plan the checks.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
An industrial gas-cylinder certificate may cover a different design from the cylinders shipped. Other rejection points include unreadable stamping, incompatible valve outlets, damaged threads and missing batch records. Compare the approved drawing and certificate with production samples before the balance is paid.
A clean-looking exterior can conceal moisture or scale inside. Wet chlorine can rapidly corrode steel, so agree drying evidence and protection against moisture during shipment. Keep suspect cylinders out of the filling batch while the supplier resolves the discrepancy.
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 chlorine cylinders from China?
The relevant heading 7311 lines carry 2% duty in the supplied tariff data. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or steel measure is recorded. The medical oxygen suspension does not cover chlorine cylinders.
Will a UK chlorine supplier fill cylinders bought from China?
Have the intended filling supplier review the exact design certificate, batch records, markings and valve connection before ordering. For cylinders used to carry gas, confirm conformity assessment, inspection and marking requirements with the relevant authority.
Which commodity code covers a steel chlorine cylinder?
There is no chlorine-specific line in the supplied data. Classification depends on seamless or other construction, pressure, capacity and the detailed goods description. Confirm the code from the drawing with your customs broker.
Why must chlorine cylinders be dry inside?
Traces of moisture in chlorine can rapidly corrode steel. Specify internal cleanliness and drying evidence, then check sampled empty cylinders and their closures before shipment.