Sourcing steel salvage drums from China
Steel salvage drums within heading 7310 carry 0% UK duty from China across the relevant lines. For dangerous goods transport, packaging generally needs UN approval unless an exemption applies. Match approval to the intended salvage use and supplied closure. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel salvage drums.
Zero duty on qualifying steel salvage drums
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7310 covers iron or steel containers not exceeding 300 litres, excluding containers for compressed or liquefied gas and those fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment. This guide concerns new empty steel salvage drums. See the wider container guide for other products within the heading.
The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel trade measure. It attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases; ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement for the actual goods. The stainless steel lines also attach a supplementary unit measure; confirm the declaration details with the broker.
Choose the commodity code from capacity, material, wall thickness and the full line description. Stainless steel alone does not establish eligibility for the refillable stainless steel lines, which include capacity and intended-content conditions. Containers over 300 litres fall outside this heading. Consult the site's CBAM guide, and confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether the forthcoming mechanism applies to these steel container lines.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other steel drums of 50 litres or more | 7310 10 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Refillable stainless steel drums of 50 litres or more, meeting the line description | 7310 10 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other steel drums under 50 litres, wall thickness 0.5 mm or more | 7310 29 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Refillable stainless steel drums under 50 litres, meeting the line description | 7310 29 90 10 | 0% | None |
Specify the inner drum, lid and salvage use
Give the factory the inner drum's outside dimensions, including its lid, rim and any damaged areas. Specify usable internal diameter, opening diameter, internal height and space for absorbent material. Request a fitting trial with the intended inner drum rather than relying on nominal capacity.
Specify steel grade, wall thickness, seam construction, coating, gasket material and closing ring. Identify the intended contents and transport use. Dangerous goods packaging generally needs UN approval unless an applicable exemption applies. Ask for approval evidence covering the proposed salvage use, exact drum model and supplied lid, gasket and closure instructions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 new empty steel salvage drums, illustrative order only, not a quotation under 7310 10 00 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
Fit: check that the intended inner drum passes through the opening, sits inside without forcing and allows the lid to close with the planned absorbent material.
Closure: check the lid profile, gasket seating, closing ring and fastener against the approved sample and supplier instructions. Look for distorted rims and uneven compression.
Body and coating: check wall thickness against the order, seams, dents, rust, sharp edges and bare coating areas. Agree sample leak checks before production.
Approval and delivery: compare markings and approval documents with the supplied model and closure components. Check for transit damage during arrival inspection, and retain photographs and batch identification.
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What goes wrong
A drum can have enough nominal capacity yet fail to accept the inner drum through its opening. Damaged inner drums may be wider than the original drawing. A substituted gasket or closing ring can also undermine the seal. Approve the complete assembly and fitting trial before ordering.
A generic dangerous goods certificate may not establish suitability for the intended salvage operation. HSE identifies special documentation rules for salvage packagings. Ask your dangerous goods adviser to review the intended use and paperwork before deployment. A storage demonstration or visual inspection alone does not establish transport suitability.
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 salvage drums from China?
The relevant heading 7310 lines carry 0% duty from China in the supplied tariff record, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code from the drum's capacity and construction.
Does a steel salvage drum need UN approval?
For transporting dangerous goods, packaging generally needs UN approval unless an applicable exemption applies. Request evidence covering the intended salvage use and the supplied drum, lid, gasket and closure.
How do I check that my damaged drum will fit?
Specify its actual outside dimensions, including deformation and fittings. Check the salvage drum's opening and usable internal dimensions, then trial the complete assembly with the planned absorbent material.
Does packaging producer responsibility apply to steel drums?
Confirm with the relevant environmental regulator whether metal packaging you supply counts towards packaging producer responsibility reporting. Consult the site's wider container guide and check your business's reporting position before supplying the drums.