Sourcing steel ingots and primary forms from China
Iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms from China pays 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 7206, with no anti-dumping duty, and neither line is subject to the 2026 steel measure that charges 50% outside quota on many steel products. Both lines are in the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027, so ask the mill for emissions data now.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7206 covers iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, excluding iron of heading 7203, split into ingots and other. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure, and neither was subject to the 2026 steel trade measure.
Semi-finished products such as billets, blooms and slabs are heading 7207, and pig iron heading 7201; confirm the commodity code from the form and the chemistry.
All the lines in the table above are in the iron and steel sector of the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which applies to imports from 1 January 2027. An importer who expects £50,000 or more of CBAM goods within 30 days, or has imported that much in the previous 12 months, must register, keep records for 6 years, and should ask suppliers for emissions data now. See our UK CBAM guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingots of iron or non-alloy steel | 7206 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other primary forms of iron or non-alloy steel | 7206 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Grades and mill documents
Specify grade and chemical composition limits, including carbon, manganese, sulphur and phosphorus, ingot size and weight, surface condition, and packing and marking. Ask for the mill test certificate for each heat, matched to the ingot marks, and for the mill name and site so that CBAM emissions data can be traced to the installation that made the steel.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 100 tonnes of non-alloy steel ingots under 7206 10 00 00, invoiced at £52,000 free on board, with £4,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £56,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £56,500, so it is £11,300. 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
Chemistry: check the mill certificate against the specification.
Marking: check heat numbers against the certificates.
Surface: check for cracks, laps and pipe. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Steel ingot orders fail on traceability. Heat numbers do not match the certificates, the chemistry drifts outside the specification, and the mill cannot provide emissions data when CBAM starts.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on steel ingots from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, both lines of heading 7206 carried 0% from China, with no steel measure.
Are steel ingots covered by UK CBAM?
Yes. Heading 7206 is in the iron and steel sector of UK CBAM from 1 January 2027.
Are billets and slabs in heading 7206?
No. Semi-finished products are heading 7207.
What documents should come with steel ingots?
A mill test certificate for each heat, matched to the ingot marks, and the mill name and site.