Sourcing steel column radiators from China

Duty on steel column radiators

Heading 7322 covers non-electrically heated central heating radiators and their parts of iron or steel, together with certain air heaters and parts. Water-heated steel column radiators fall within the other-radiators line, 7322 19 00 00. The table shows variants sharing this code. For the wider heading, see cast iron sectional radiators.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied record gives 2% duty for goods from China under 7322 19 00 00. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the heating method, material and complete product description through finding your commodity code. Electric radiators use different codes. Ask your customs broker to confirm separately supplied parts rather than assuming the complete radiator code applies. For cast-iron spares, see our guide to replacement cast-iron radiator sections.

Specify column depth, heat output and connections

Specify horizontal or vertical orientation, column arrangement, overall height, width and depth, connection positions, pipe centres and wall clearance. Include bracket or foot drawings, blanking plugs and air vents. Agree the steel construction, maximum operating pressure, coating colour and gloss, and approve a finished sample.

Ask for the EN 442 heat output report for each size and the temperature difference used for the declared figure. Keep the declaration of performance with the model drawings. Compare output figures only where the test conditions match, and arrange testing and certification around the actual range being supplied.

Great Britain accepts legitimately CE-marked construction products. Check that the marking and supporting documents identify the supplied radiator model; a catalogue photograph does not establish that the documents cover its size and construction.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 50 steel column radiators under 7322 19 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £1,120 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,120. Duty at 2% is £142.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,262.40, so it is £1,452.48. Import taxes total £1,594.88; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £142.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Pressure and welds: witness the agreed factory pressure test, check welded tube joints and headers for weeping, and examine accessible waterways for oil, scale and debris.

Dimensions and fittings: measure overall size, column depth, pipe centres and mounting positions against the drawing. Gauge the connection threads and check the brackets, feet, plugs and vents supplied.

Finish: inspect between columns and around welds for bare steel, runs and uneven coating. Compare colour and gloss with the approved sample and check coating adhesion.

Packing and arrival: check wrapping, end protection and support around brackets and feet. Look for bent columns, chipped coating and damaged tappings when unpacking. Record damage and agree the inspection scope before shipment.

What goes wrong

A radiator can look like the approved sample while having different column depth or waterways. The quoted heat output may belong to another size or use a different temperature difference. Tie drawings, output reports and the declaration of performance to the exact supplied models before accepting production.

Welds can weep, internal residue can contribute to system sludge, and coating can chip where heavy radiators move inside their cartons. Incorrect pipe centres or mounting positions also cause installation problems. Resolve these issues on samples and include the same checks in the production inspection.

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.