Sourcing steel CNG cylinders from China
Steel CNG cylinders from China pay 2% UK duty across the relevant tariff lines, with no trade remedies recorded in the supplied tariff data. Vehicles using them on public roads in Great Britain must comply with applicable construction regulations. Confirm the intended application before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel CNG cylinders.
UK duty on steel CNG cylinders
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7311 covers iron or steel containers for compressed or liquefied gas. The relevant steel CNG cylinder lines carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no steel measure.
The listed 0.00 % suspension is restricted to empty portable medical oxygen cylinders fitted with a valve and pressure and flow regulator; it does not describe CNG cylinders. The tariff also attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The importer should confirm the applicable requirement with their customs broker for the actual cylinder and its contents.
Confirm the commodity code using construction, pressure, water capacity and the full goods description. The residual 'other' line is relevant only if the cylinder falls outside the preceding description. For the wider heading, see steel LPG cylinders.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refillable seamless steel cylinders, 165 bar or more, under 20 litres | 7311 00 11 80 | 2% | None |
| Refillable seamless steel cylinders, 165 bar or more, 20 to 50 litres | 7311 00 13 80 | 2% | None |
| Refillable seamless steel cylinders, 165 bar or more, over 50 litres | 7311 00 19 80 | 2% | None |
| Other seamless cylinders, 165 bar or more, over 50 litres | 7311 00 19 85 | 2% | None |
Specify the CNG application and cylinder assembly
State whether the cylinder supplies vehicle fuel or carries gas as cargo. For a vehicle used on public roads in Great Britain, applicable construction regulations must be met. Lorry individual vehicle approval inspections require documentary evidence for fuel tanks. Ask the vehicle builder to confirm the approval documents needed for the proposed cylinder and installation before production.
Where cylinders are supplied as transportable pressure equipment for the Great Britain market, the government guidance requires Rho marking. Confirm the applicable route with the inspection body. Specify steel grade, heat treatment, working and test pressure, water capacity, dimensions, neck thread, valve, pressure relief arrangement and mounting interfaces. Agree the inspection scope through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 seamless steel CNG cylinders, each of 50 litres under 7311 00 13 80, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,000. Duty at 2% is £200. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,200, so it is £2,040. Import taxes total £2,240; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £200 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Documents: match the cylinder model, drawing revision and serial numbers to the supplied approval documents and batch test records.
Threads and fittings: gauge the neck thread against the specified valve; check the valve and pressure relief arrangement against the agreed assembly drawing.
Cylinder body: check dimensions, tare weight, shoulder stamping, paint coverage, dents and corrosion against the purchase specification.
Interior and packing: inspect sampled interiors for moisture and scale; check protected openings, valve guards and restraints before loading and again on arrival. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the checks.
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What goes wrong
A general gas-cylinder certificate may cover a different model or application from the vehicle fuel cylinder ordered. Missing serial-number links make batch records difficult to verify. A substituted valve, incorrect neck thread or changed mounting position can leave the supplied assembly different from the agreed drawing.
Moisture, loose internal scale, damaged threads and rubbed paint are practical rejection points. Hold affected cylinders aside and resolve discrepancies before filling or installation. Ask for factory verification covering traceability, thread gauges and pressure-test equipment before placing the order.
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 CNG cylinders from China?
The relevant lines carry 2% duty in the supplied tariff data. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded. The medical oxygen-cylinder suspension does not describe CNG cylinders.
What documents should I request for vehicle CNG cylinders?
Request approval documents for the exact cylinder model, installation instructions, drawings and serial-linked batch test records. Lorry individual vehicle approval inspections require fuel-tank documentary evidence.
Do steel CNG cylinders need Rho marking?
Government guidance requires Rho marking for transportable pressure equipment placed on the Great Britain market. Confirm the applicable route for the intended application with the inspection body.
What should I check when CNG cylinders arrive?
Match serial numbers and documents, gauge neck threads, check valves and mounting dimensions, and inspect for dents, corrosion, moisture and internal scale. Record discrepancies before filling or installation.