Sourcing steel paint pails from China
Steel paint pails from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 7310 lines, with no anti-dumping duty recorded. Pails used to transport dangerous paint generally need UN-certified packaging unless an exemption applies. Match the lining and closure to the paint. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel paint pails.
UK duty and classification for steel paint pails
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the selected heading 7310 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel trade measure on these lines. Heading 7310 covers iron or steel containers of a capacity not exceeding 300 litres, without mechanical or thermal equipment, excluding containers for compressed or liquefied gas.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to these lines. For empty paint pails from China, confirm the applicable declaration requirement with your customs broker before shipment; the supplied control note does not establish what an ordinary empty pail requires. Confirm with the relevant environmental regulator whether the metal packaging you supply counts towards packaging producer responsibility reporting and which obligations apply.
For removable-lid pails under 50 litres, check wall thickness against the other-container lines. The table also includes soldered or crimped closure alternatives; choose by the actual construction. Confirm the commodity code using drawings and samples. See steel paint cans for the wider product guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable-lid steel paint pails under 50 l, wall under 0.5 mm | 7310 29 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Removable-lid steel paint pails under 50 l, wall 0.5 mm or more, other | 7310 29 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Steel paint containers under 50 l, soldered or crimped closure, wall under 0.5 mm | 7310 21 91 00 | 0% | None |
| Steel paint containers under 50 l, soldered or crimped closure, wall 0.5 mm or more | 7310 21 99 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the pail, lining and closure together
Specify steel grade, wall thickness, capacity, body taper, rim profile, base seam and handle attachment. State whether the lid is a press-fit design or uses a closing ring, and supply the filling line's closure requirements. Approve a complete pail and lid assembly rather than separate components.
Give the factory the intended paint formulation and ask for compatibility evidence for the internal lining and gasket. Agree checks for coating coverage, leakage and opening after storage. For dangerous paint transport, packaging generally needs UN certification unless an exemption applies; ask for the certificate covering the actual pail and closure combination.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of empty steel paint pails with matching removable lids, not a quotation under 7310 29 10 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,500, so it is £2,700. 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
Body and seams: measure wall thickness and dimensions against the approved drawing; check rim distortion, base seams, dents, rust and sharp edges.
Lining and seals: open samples to check bare steel, scratches and coating defects; test the assembled closure for leakage using the agreed method.
Handles and lids: check handle attachments under the agreed filled load, grip movement, lid fit and closing-ring engagement.
Packing and evidence: check nesting damage, lid quantities and batch identification; where dangerous-goods approval is required, match markings and certificates to the supplied assembly. Use quality inspection to agree the inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
Pails can arrive with rims flattened by nesting, coating scratched by neighbouring handles or lids that fit the sample but leak on production bodies. Weak handle attachments become apparent only when the pail is filled. Check the complete assembly on arrival before releasing it to the filling line.
A lining described simply as suitable for paint can fail with the buyer's formulation. A replacement gasket or altered closing ring can also differ from the tested assembly. Record approved materials and components in the purchase specification, and investigate changes before accepting repeat batches.
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 paint pails from China?
The relevant heading 7310 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm the code from capacity, wall thickness and closure construction.
Do steel paint pails need UN approval?
Ask for approval evidence covering the actual pail, lid and gasket combination.
How do I choose the internal lining?
Give the factory the intended paint formulation and storage conditions. Ask for compatibility evidence and test filled samples for coating damage, leakage and closure performance.
What should I check when empty paint pails arrive?
Check dents, rust, rim shape, lining coverage, seams, handle attachments and lid fit. Compare production assemblies with the approved sample before filling.