Sourcing steel dog crates from China
Steel dog crates under heading 7326 pay 2% UK import duty from China across the relevant wire and other fabricated steel lines. Consumer crates supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Confirm classification from the construction, then check welds, latch security and sharp edges. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel dog crates.
Duty and classification for steel dog crates
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, heading 7326 covers other articles of iron or steel. The relevant wire and other fabricated steel lines both carry 2% duty for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel trade measure shown. The table repeats these codes for different crate designs; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.
The other fabricated steel line has a tariff control for goods for torture and repression, including an import prohibition and an export restriction. The official import notice identifies a list of banned goods. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement against your crate specification rather than treating the broad code as an automatic prohibition on dog crates.
Confirm the commodity code using drawings, materials and photographs. Ask HMRC or your customs broker whether the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism applies to the actual crate and what steel-source and emissions information may be needed. See import duty and VAT for border-cost calculations and pet products for the wider range. For harnesses in that range, see sourcing dog harnesses from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel wire dog crates, folding design, subject to classification | 7326 20 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Other fabricated steel dog crates, subject to classification | 7326 90 98 90 | 2% | None |
Specify usable space and secure closures
Specify clear internal dimensions, door opening, wire diameter or panel thickness, bar spacing, weld positions, latch engagement and tray retention. State whether the crate folds, how panels lock upright and how it is carried. Approve an assembled sample rather than relying on exterior dimensions or a supplier's dog-size description.
For consumer crates supplied in Great Britain, general product safety rules require safe products. Review sharp edges, finger traps, folding-panel movement and foreseeable misuse. Agree coating preparation, cleaning instructions and corrosion checks appropriate to the intended indoor or outdoor use. Keep the approved sample and inspection criteria with the purchase order.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 50 folding steel wire dog crates under 7326 20 00 90, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,700. Duty at 2% is £114. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,814, so it is £1,162.80. Import taxes total £1,276.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £114 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Frame and welds: compare the assembled crate with the drawing; check loose welds, projecting wire ends, burrs and distorted panels.
Doors and folding joints: operate every closure on sampled crates; check latch engagement, panel retention and accidental release when the frame is pushed.
Tray and finish: check tray removal and retention, exposed metal, coating damage and sharp edges around the base.
Arrival and packing: assemble sampled crates from different cartons, check bent corners, missing fittings and instructions, and compare results with the approved sample. Arrange quality inspection before dispatch.
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What goes wrong
A latch can appear closed while barely engaging the frame. Weak welds and bent doors can worsen this during transport. Folding panels can also release when lifted, and a loose tray can expose rough metal underneath. Include these failure modes in sample approval and repeat the checks on arrival.
Packed exterior dimensions can conceal inadequate usable space. Coating may look even while leaving weld intersections exposed, and rubbing between folded panels can damage the finish. Specify internal measurements and protective packing, then compare production crates with the retained sample.
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 dog crates from China?
The relevant wire and other fabricated steel lines in heading 7326 carry 2% duty. The supplied tariff facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on these lines.
What commodity code should I use for a steel dog crate?
Consider 7326 20 00 90 for steel wire articles and 7326 90 98 90 for other fabricated steel articles. Ask your broker to confirm the code from the actual construction.
What should I check on a dog crate sample?
Check usable internal space, projecting wire ends, welds, latch engagement, folding-panel retention and tray fit. Assemble and operate the sample before approving production.
Does the torture-goods tariff control ban dog crates?
The tariff attaches the control to the other fabricated steel line. The official notice lists banned goods; ask your broker to confirm how the control applies to your actual product.