Sourcing steel roller shutter doors from China
Steel roller shutter doors and associated structural parts under heading 7308 carry 0% UK duty from China in the supplied tariff snapshot. Powered shutters must be safe under machinery supply rules; assess the complete door rather than accepting a motor certificate as sufficient. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel roller shutter doors.
Duty and classification for steel roller shutters
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the selected heading 7308 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel measure. Heading 7308 covers iron or steel structures and their parts, including doors and shutters. Import VAT is normally 20%.
The tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to 7308 30 00 00. For an insulated shutter, obtain the foam composition and blowing-agent details. The importer should confirm the applicable requirement and declaration with their customs broker; this tariff attachment alone does not establish what an individual shutter needs.
The table includes associated structural parts and building panels, not interchangeable codes for complete shutters. Confirm the complete door and separately shipped parts through finding your commodity code. For related door construction within this heading, see steel sectional garage doors.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel doors, frames and thresholds | 7308 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Insulated profiled steel panels for associated building work | 7308 90 51 00 | 0% | None |
| Other structural parts principally of sheet steel | 7308 90 59 90 | 0% | None |
| Other steel structures and structural parts | 7308 90 98 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the curtain, guides and operating system
Give the factory an opening survey showing clear width and height, headroom, side room and fixing surfaces. Specify solid or perforated slats, steel thickness, curtain profile, finish, guide depth, bottom rail and seals. Distinguish manual operation from powered operation, and state whether insulation or a fire-resistance claim is part of the order.
For powered shutters, specify the supply, motor duty, controls, emergency operation, safety edge, presence detection and protection against curtain descent following suspension failure. Powered doors must be safe under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. Ask for the complete assembly's conformity declaration, instructions and supporting safety assessment, matched to the supplied model.
For the construction-product marking route, CE marking remains available in Great Britain. Ask the supplier to identify the route and provide the supporting performance documents for the complete door. Use testing and certification support to review the evidence before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of complete steel roller shutter door sets, not a quotation under 7308 30 00 00, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £36,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £36,000, so it is £7,200. 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
Fit: check opening dimensions, guide spacing, bracket positions and fixing-hole locations against the approved drawing.
Curtain: check slat thickness and profile, interlocking joints, end locks, coating coverage and transit damage at the roll edges.
Operation: have a competent installer check travel, limit settings, emergency operation, safety-device response and protection against uncontrolled descent after installation.
Arrival: match motors, controls, guides, brackets and documents to each door set. Photograph bent guides, crushed slats and wet packaging before assembly; use the quality inspection guide to plan checks.
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What goes wrong
An opening-only drawing can miss the space needed for the barrel and guides. Thin or damaged slats can bind, poorly aligned guides can make the curtain run unevenly, and exposed roll edges can arrive crushed. Agree the complete installation envelope and packing method before production.
A certificate for the motor does not describe how the assembled curtain, controls and safety devices work together. Ask for evidence matching the finished door and its intended installation. Keep fire-resistance claims separate from ordinary security or insulation claims, and request evidence for the actual assembly being offered.
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 roller shutters from China?
The selected heading 7308 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the complete shutter's commodity code before shipment.
Is a motor certificate enough for a powered roller shutter?
Assess the complete door, controls and safety devices together. Ask for assembly-specific conformity documents, instructions and safety evidence rather than relying solely on a motor certificate.
What measurements should I send a shutter factory?
Send clear opening dimensions, headroom, side room, fixing surfaces and the intended barrel position. Include guide and bracket drawings and specify manual or powered operation.
What should I check when roller shutters arrive?
Check roll-edge damage, bent guides, slat joints, finish and missing fittings. Match each door to its documents and arrange installed operational and safety checks before use.