Sourcing steel crown bottle caps from China

Duty on steel crown bottle caps

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, steel crown bottle caps fall under the crown corks line, 8309 10 00 00, within heading 8309 for base-metal closures and packing accessories. Plain, printed and lined crown caps use the same line; the table shows product variants rather than separate tariff classifications.

The recorded duty for goods from China is 0%. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for crown corks. Food contact compliance remains a separate consideration from the tariff.

Confirm the commodity code against the cap construction before shipment. For screw caps, jar lids and other metal closures, see the bottle caps and closures guide.

Specify the bottle finish, liner and capping process

Provide the bottle finish drawing and samples, cap profile, steel thickness, protective coating, liner material and print artwork. State whether the cap is removed with an opener or intended for a compatible twist-off bottle. Agree dimensional tolerances and an approved sample with the factory.

Describe the drink, carbonation, filling temperature, any pasteurisation and storage conditions. Closures for food and drink are food contact materials; confirm with the relevant food safety authority which plastics requirements apply to their liners. Ask for a declaration of compliance and migration evidence matched to the liner, internal coating and intended use, as explained in the wider closures guide.

Run samples on your own capping equipment using the intended bottles and drink. Agree acceptance checks for crimping, leakage, pressure retention and opening before approving production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 million steel crown bottle caps under 8309 10 00 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £62,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £62,500, so it is £12,500. 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

Fit: compare cap dimensions and crimped fit with the bottle finish drawing and approved sample.

Seal: check liner coverage and seating, then test capped bottles for leakage and pressure retention after the intended processing and storage.

Surface: check internal lacquer, exposed steel, rust, dents, burrs and print against the approved sample.

Batch: match cartons and supporting material documents to the delivered batch, and check for moisture or contamination. Agree sampling through the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A cap can look correct but leak because its profile, liner or crimp does not suit the bottle and capping head. A line trial with the actual bottles can reveal uneven crimping, damaged glass or inconsistent opening before bulk production.

Scratched lacquer exposes steel to corrosion, while displaced liners weaken the seal. Changes to the liner or coating can also leave earlier migration evidence unmatched to the delivered caps. Keep approved samples and agree that material changes need review before production.

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.