Sourcing steel spring pins from China

UK duty and the spring pin classification

Heading 7318 covers iron or steel fasteners and similar articles. For steel spring pins, use 7318 29 00 90, other non-threaded articles, as a classification candidate to confirm against the drawing. The table shows buying variants against that same tariff line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. For the wider heading, see steel retaining rings. For split cotter pin designs, see our steel split cotter pin sourcing guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied snapshot records 0% duty for goods from China on this line and throughout the heading. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, attached import control or steel trade measure for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%.

Send the broker the drawing, material, construction and intended function before shipment. HMRC says an overseas supplier's commodity code needs checking for UK treatment. Use finding your commodity code to organise that check.

Specify the pin and its mating hole

State whether the pin is slotted or coiled, its steel grade, free diameter, length, wall construction, chamfer and heat treatment. Include the mating hole diameter and tolerance, host material, installation method and required retention or shear performance. Approve samples in the actual assembly before releasing production.

Specify the finish, corrosion protection, acceptable burrs and batch identification. Ask for material and heat-treatment records tied to the supplied batch. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances being placed on the market or used; ask for the steel and coating composition so applicable restrictions can be checked.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size batch of slotted steel spring pins, subject to classification confirmation under 7318 29 00 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,300, so it is £1,260. 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

Dimensions: measure free diameter, length, wall thickness and chamfers against the approved drawing; check slot shape or coil construction.

Material and treatment: match batch records to the ordered steel grade and heat treatment, and check hardness against the agreed specification.

Assembly: fit sampled pins into representative mating holes and check insertion, seating and retention using the agreed test method.

Condition and packing: check for cracks, sharp burrs, rust and coating damage; verify size segregation and batch labels on arrival. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A pin can match its nominal size yet damage the hole or fail to stay seated. Incorrect free diameter, wall construction or hole tolerance changes the fit. Excessive hardness can cause cracking during installation; inadequate heat treatment can leave the pin permanently compressed.

Mixed sizes, missing chamfers and burrs disrupt assembly, while damp packaging causes corrosion before use. Keep an approved assembly sample and compare incoming batches with it. Resolve any change from slotted to coiled construction before accepting the goods.

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.