Sourcing Steel Tea Packaging Tins from China
Steel tea packaging tins from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 7310 lines. For tins holding tea, confirm the applicable food-contact requirements and supporting evidence for the tinplate and internal lacquer with the relevant food safety authority. Specify the closure, coating and print before approving production. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel tea packaging tins.
Zero duty on steel tea packaging tins
Heading 7310 covers iron or steel containers of a capacity not exceeding 300 litres, without mechanical or thermal equipment. For tea tins under 50 litres, distinguish removable lids from soldered or crimped closures and confirm wall thickness. The table shows alternative constructions, rather than interchangeable codes.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel measure. It attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The official import guidance consulted concerns equipment pre-charged with hydrofluorocarbons; it does not resolve the declaration requirement for empty tea tins. Confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual material, capacity, closure and wall thickness. See steel biscuit tins for wider heading coverage. Ask HMRC or your customs broker to confirm whether these lines fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism and when any requirements apply; consult the UK carbon border guide when planning shipments.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable-lid tea tins, wall thickness under 0.5 mm | 7310 29 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other tea tins, wall thickness 0.5 mm or more | 7310 29 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Food-preserving cans closed by soldering or crimping | 7310 21 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Other soldered or crimped cans, wall thickness under 0.5 mm | 7310 21 91 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the tea tin, lid and internal coating
State whether loose tea touches the tin or sits inside a separate pouch. Specify tinplate thickness, internal dimensions, usable capacity, lid construction, opening force, internal lacquer, print position and embossing. Approve a finished sample with the intended tea or pouch, rather than judging capacity from the outside dimensions.
For tins holding food, confirm the applicable food-contact evidence requirements for the tinplate and internal lacquer with the relevant food safety authority, including whether a declaration of compliance or migration test report is needed. Match the evidence to the intended use. Printed outer surfaces should not transfer to food. Ask the supplier to identify the coating used on the body, lid and seams.
Packaging materials must not exceed the applicable heavy metal concentration limit. Request supporting evidence for the finished packaging, including coatings and print. Confirm with the relevant environmental regulator whether metal packaging supplied by your business falls within your packaging producer responsibility reporting obligations.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order only: 20,000 printed steel tea packaging tins; FOB value and freight including insurance in whole pounds under 7310 29 10 00, 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 edges: check thickness and dimensions against the approved specification, inspect for dents and rust, and feel accessible rims and seams for sharp edges.
Lid and filling: check opening and closing against the approved sample, look for loose or distorted lids, and trial the intended tea pouch or filling arrangement.
Lacquer and cleanliness: inspect opened tins for scratches, exposed metal, residue and unusual odour; match the supplied coating documents to the production material.
Print and packing: compare colour, registration and embossing with the approved proof; inspect carton protection and look for rubbing or crushed corners on arrival. Use a written inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A lid can look correct but fit poorly after the body is dented during transport. Thin walls, inadequate dividers and tight nesting can leave dents or scratched print. Tea pouches may snag on seams or prevent the lid closing. Test the packed arrangement and agree acceptable lid fit before production.
A visually clean interior does not establish food-contact suitability. A generic report may describe a different lacquer or material. Compare the documents with the supplied tin, and investigate coating changes, bare seams and unusual odours before using the batch to pack tea.
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 tea tins from China?
The relevant heading 7310 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff data. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded. Import VAT is separate.
Do steel tea tins need food-contact testing?
For tins holding food, confirm the applicable evidence requirements for the tinplate and internal lacquer with the relevant food safety authority, including whether a declaration of compliance or migration test report is needed. Match the documents to the material supplied and intended use.
Which commodity code covers removable-lid tea tins?
For containers under 50 litres, 7310 29 10 00 covers walls under 0.5 mm. Other tea tins with walls of 0.5 mm or more may fall under 7310 29 90 90. Confirm the complete construction before declaring.
What should I check when tea tins arrive?
Check dents, rust, sharp edges, lid fit, internal coating, cleanliness and print against the approved sample. Trial the intended pouch or filling arrangement and inspect the carton protection.