Sourcing steel rivet nuts from China

UK duty and classification for steel rivet nuts

Heading 7318 covers iron or steel fasteners and similar articles. Its blind rivet nut descriptions distinguish stainless steel from other steel. The table also includes neighbouring categories to distinguish other nuts and threaded articles; these are not default codes for blind rivet nuts. See the wider threaded insert guide. For castellated nuts, see our castellated nut sourcing guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, both blind rivet nut lines and the other selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel trade measure, suspension or attached import control on these lines.

Confirm the commodity code using the drawing, steel grade and fastening method. The supplied descriptions put stainless steel blind rivet nuts under 7318 16 31 90 and other steel blind rivet nuts under 7318 16 40 90. Give your customs broker the actual design rather than only a supplier's product name.

Specify the rivet nut and its panel

Specify steel grade, internal thread form and pitch, head profile, body shape, body length, open or closed end, coating and passivation. Define the receiving-hole size and shape, panel material and thickness, and the required grip range. Check tool access and clearance behind the panel.

Approve installed samples using the intended panel and installation tool. Agree setting parameters, thread gauging, resistance to rotation and pull-out acceptance criteria. Request material and coating records linked to the production batch.

UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances in articles. Obtain alloy, plating and passivation details to check applicable restrictions. If rivet nuts are supplied as consumer repair products in Great Britain, they must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size batch of stainless steel blind rivet nuts; FOB value and freight are illustrative under 7318 16 31 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,300, so it is £860. 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

Threads: check sampled internal threads with agreed gauges and mating screws after installation; look for burrs, damaged thread starts and distortion.

Panel fit: measure body and head dimensions against the drawing, then trial-install samples in the specified hole and panel thickness.

Retention: test resistance to rotation and pull-out using the agreed method; inspect for spinning, cracking and stripped threads.

Finish and traceability: check coating coverage, rust and transport damage on arrival; match carton labels to sizes and batch records. Plan sampling with the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A rivet nut can accept a screw before installation yet fail after setting. Excessive setting force distorts the thread, an unsuitable grip range leaves a loose joint, and an oversized hole lets the body spin. A closed end can also obstruct a screw if the available engagement depth was not agreed.

Approve the complete installed assembly before releasing production. Record the hole preparation and tool settings, and separate mixed sizes on arrival. Treat a change from plated steel to stainless steel as a specification change requiring renewed sample approval.

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.