Sourcing steel safety solvent cans from China

UK duty on steel safety solvent cans

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied heading 7310 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure or suspension. The heading covers iron or steel containers up to 300 litres, excluding compressed or liquefied gas containers and containers fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to every listed line. The official guidance reviewed does not establish the declaration requirement for an empty steel safety solvent can. Confirm the requirement and supporting document code with your customs broker before shipment.

Confirm capacity, wall thickness and closure construction using finding your commodity code. The table includes larger containers and sealed solvent supply cans to show classification boundaries; a crimped supply can differs from a reusable dispensing can. See steel fuel jerry cans for wider coverage of this heading.

Specify the solvent and dispensing assembly

Specify empty cans for the named solvent and intended workplace task. Record steel grade, wall thickness, usable capacity, internal coating, gasket material, handle attachment and replacement parts. Choose the filling opening, pouring spout or flexible hose, self-closing cap and flame arrester arrangement on an approved sample.

HSE guidance says that, where enclosed transfer cannot be used, containers should minimise spillage, vapour release and the effects of fire. Suppliers must supply safe work equipment. The supply duties described by HSE include safe-use information and instructions, together with necessary testing or examination. Ask for evidence matching the complete can assembly and instructions covering filling, dispensing, cleaning and maintenance.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 300 empty steel safety solvent cans; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 7310 29 90 90, 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 finish: check steel thickness against the order, seams, handle fixings, dents, rust and internal coating coverage. Inspect inside the neck and around welded joints.

Closure and dispensing: operate the cap repeatedly, check that it closes without sticking, inspect gasket seating and verify hose attachment. Check the flame arrester against the approved assembly for damage, loose fit or coating blockage.

Compatibility and leakage: match coating, gasket and hose evidence to the named solvent. Commission compatibility and leak checks using an agreed safe test method; do not improvise tests with flammable liquids.

Documents and packing: match model identification and test evidence to the delivered assembly. If dangerous-goods transport approval is required, check the approval and marking for that use. Use quality inspection to check carton protection and arrival damage.

What goes wrong

A changed gasket, coating or hose can undermine the approved sample. Look for swollen seals, coating separation, leaking seams, sticking caps and loose handles. Prevent substitutions by listing these components in the purchase specification and requiring approval before changes.

A workplace dispensing claim does not establish suitability for dangerous-goods transport. Confirm with the relevant transport authority whether cans used to transport dangerous goods need tested, UN-approved packaging with the relevant marking, and whether an exemption applies. Settle the intended use before ordering and verify any applicable certificate against the actual assembly.

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.