Sourcing steel volute springs from China

UK duty and classification

Heading 7320 covers springs and leaves for springs of iron or steel. For strip-wound volute springs, treat 7320 90 90 90 as a candidate to confirm, rather than assuming that a compression function makes them coil compression springs. The comparison rows distinguish neighbouring spring constructions; they are not interchangeable declarations.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Give your broker the sectional drawing, material, manufacturing method and intended use to confirm the commodity code. The steel compression spring guide provides wider heading context. Confirm the applicable product rules separately: a finished product must comply with applicable legislation when placed on the Great Britain market.

Specifying strip-wound volute springs

Describe the construction explicitly: tapered steel strip wound into a cone with overlapping turns. Specify material grade, strip thickness and width profile, winding direction, free height, base and tip diameters, end seating and compressed height. Supply a sectional drawing showing how the turns should nest and any guide or retaining features.

Agree loads at stated compressed heights, loading and unloading behaviour, permissible permanent set and the test fixture. Specify heat treatment, surface finish and fatigue testing where repeated loading matters. Assess conformity marking against the intended application: sector-specific regulations determine whether marking is necessary, rather than the spring's tariff heading.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of strip-wound steel volute springs, subject to classification confirmation under 7320 90 90 90, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,500, so it is £3,900. 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

Geometry: measure strip dimensions, free height, diameters and seating against the drawing; check overlapping turns and nesting clearance in the intended fixture.

Compression: record loads at the agreed heights during loading and unloading; check for binding, sideways movement and permanent set after release.

Material: match certificates and heat-treatment records to the production batch; inspect strip edges and contact surfaces for cracks, burrs and tool marks.

Finish and packing: check coating coverage between overlapping turns, corrosion and any specified lubrication; confirm separators prevent rubbing and deformation in transit.

What goes wrong

A spring can match the outside dimensions yet bind before reaching the working height. Strip profile, overlap and end seating affect whether turns nest correctly. Test production samples in the intended mounting arrangement, with loading and unloading results recorded against the approved sample.

Permanent set changes the installed load, while damaged edges and surface defects can initiate fatigue cracks. Rust or inconsistent lubrication can change sliding behaviour between turns. Agree acceptance checks before production and arrange quality inspection against the drawing and test method.

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.