Sourcing steel livestock gates from China
Steel livestock gates entered under the selected heading 7326 lines pay 2% UK duty from China, with no additional trade remedy recorded. Confirm classification for the finished design and specify a safe swing and latch arrangement. HSE advises hanging cattle gates to open fully against a pen wall. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel livestock gates.
Duty and classification for livestock gates
Heading 7326 covers other articles of iron or steel. Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the selected lines carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no steel measure on these lines. The table separates finished-gate candidates from component blanks; it does not assign every livestock gate the same code.
The suspension on the selected forged-or-stamped line is restricted to specified stainless steel curved discs, not livestock gates. The residual fabricated-article line attaches torture-goods import and export controls. Official guidance prohibits imports of the listed torture goods and requires export authorisation for specified controlled goods. Ask your customs broker to confirm the tariff control treatment for the exact gate design.
Confirm the commodity code using drawings, materials, manufacturing method and whether the shipment contains finished gates or separate parts. See wire mesh and fencing for the wider product family. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether UK carbon border adjustment requirements will apply to your imports; ask the factory for steel-source and emissions information.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other fabricated steel articles, candidate line for tubular livestock gates | 7326 90 98 90 | 2% | None |
| Other steel wire articles, candidate line for wire gate panels | 7326 20 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Open-die forged gate-component blanks, not further worked | 7326 19 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Other forged or stamped gate-component blanks, not further worked | 7326 19 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the opening, animal and mounting arrangement
State whether the gate is for a field entrance, collecting pen or handling passage, and identify the livestock it will contain. Provide clear opening dimensions, gate height, rail layout, mesh infill, ground clearance and hinge positions. Agree steel grade, tube wall thickness, bracing and the complete coating specification rather than accepting a description such as heavy duty.
Specify mounting posts, hinge adjustment, latch engagement, opening direction and the position from which the operator releases the latch. HSE advises that cattle gates should be hung to open fully against a pen wall. Approve an assembled sample with the actual fittings and request installation and maintenance instructions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed batch of tubular livestock gates with matching fittings under 7326 90 98 90, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £35,000. Duty at 2% is £700. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £35,700, so it is £7,140. Import taxes total £7,840; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £700 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Geometry: measure the frame, diagonals, rail spacing and hinge positions against the approved drawing; trial-fit the supplied posts and fittings.
Welds: inspect rail joints, hinge plates and bracing for cracks, incomplete welds and sharp projections; compare workmanship with the approved sample.
Finish: check coating coverage and agreed thickness, exposed steel, rough galvanising and blocked fitting holes.
Operation and arrival: swing and latch the assembled gate, check sag and hinge retention, then inspect delivered bundles for bent rails, coating damage and missing fittings. Arrange quality inspection before shipment.
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What goes wrong
A gate can match the overall width yet fail to fit because the factory measured the frame while the buyer specified the opening between posts. Unmatched hinge pins, insufficient adjustment and a latch that barely engages create installation problems. Approve the complete mounting arrangement, not just a photograph of the gate.
Thin tubes and weak bracing allow sag, while rough welds or galvanising leave sharp contact points. Bundles can arrive with bowed frames or rubbed coatings. Agree packing supports and separators, and check operation again after unloading before putting gates into service.
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 livestock gates from China?
The selected heading 7326 lines carry 2% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm the finished gate's commodity code before ordering.
What measurements should I send the gate factory?
Send the clear opening, gate height, rail or mesh layout, ground clearance, hinge positions and post details. Identify the livestock and show the required swing and latch arrangement.
How do I check a galvanised livestock gate?
Check coverage and agreed coating thickness, sharp deposits, bare steel and blocked holes. Trial-fit hinges and latches, and inspect coating damage after unloading.
What should I check on a cattle pen gate?
HSE advises hanging gates so they open fully against a pen wall. Trial-fit the gate and check latch engagement, hinge retention, clearance and sag with the supplied fittings.