Sourcing steel coach screws from China

Coach screw classification and UK duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7318 covers iron or steel fasteners, including coach screws. Steel coach screws have their own line, 7318 11 00 00. The table also includes other wood screws for comparison and separately supplied washers; these are separate goods descriptions.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for Chinese-origin coach screws and every related line selected here. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Import VAT is normally 20%.

Confirm the product against its drawing, material and thread description using finding your commodity code. For wider heading coverage, see self-drilling roofing screws. Do not classify a coach screw solely from a supplier's general fastener description.

Specify the timber connection and coating

Specify steel grade, shank diameter, overall length, threaded length, thread profile, point shape, hexagonal head dimensions and dimensional tolerances. State whether washers are included. Describe the timber, pilot hole and installation method used for sample approval, so the factory can reproduce the intended connection.

Agree the coating process and acceptance criteria for appearance, coating thickness and corrosion testing. Ask for material and mechanical test records linked to the supplied batch. For load-bearing timber connections, ask a competent designer to set the required performance and check that the supplier's evidence covers the actual screw and intended use.

If the screws will be sold as consumer products, businesses importing or selling them are responsible for their safety. For construction use, check the applicable conformity route before approving packaging. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied in Great Britain.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative bulk order of boxed steel coach screws for a hardware business under 7318 11 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,300, so it is £860. 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 shank diameter, length, threaded length and head dimensions against the approved drawing; check straightness and point formation.

Material and finish: match batch records to the order; look for rust, exposed steel, flaking coating, cracks and burrs.

Installation: drive samples into the agreed timber with the agreed pilot hole; check head damage, screw breakage, splitting and seating of the washer.

Packing: check size separation, carton contents and batch identification on arrival. Keep accepted samples and inspection records together; see quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A hexagonal head can conceal the wrong thread or material. Short threaded lengths reduce engagement, malformed points make starting difficult, and poor heat treatment can leave screws brittle or too soft. Coating colour alone does not establish corrosion performance.

Mixed lengths, damaged threads and damp cartons create problems at the warehouse. Compare arrival samples with the approved sample and drawing before releasing stock. Record failed installation tests against the batch and ask the factory for a corrective action supported by fresh inspection evidence.

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.