Sourcing steel wire rope mesh slings from China

Finished mesh slings: 0% customs duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7312 covers iron or steel stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands and slings without electrical insulation. The finished-sling line 7312 90 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no trade remedy, suspension or steel measure listed.

The table distinguishes finished slings from separately imported rope components. Selected non-stainless steel rope lines carry 60.40% residual anti-dumping duty alongside 0% customs duty. The finished-sling line also lists import and export waste controls. For a shipment from China subject to waste notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable waste requirements before shipping discarded or scrap goods.

Confirm the finished assembly, material, construction and separately shipped components through finding your commodity code. Do not classify loose rope as a finished sling. See the wider steel lifting slings guide and the import duty and VAT guide.

Specify the mesh and its end fittings

Give the factory a drawing showing effective lifting length, mesh width, rope construction, mesh pattern and end-fitting openings. State the loads, intended lifting configurations, load-contact surfaces and exposure to heat, moisture or chemicals. Agree the material, coating, edge finish and how the mesh attaches to its end fittings.

Confirm with HSE whether the lifting slings fall within the machinery supply rules and what working load markings and declaration of conformity are required. Where those rules apply, the relevant conformity marking must also be affixed; Great Britain recognises CE marking indefinitely. Ask for instructions, load-test evidence tied to the supplied design and traceability linking the sling to its documents. Arrange testing and certification against the actual mesh assembly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 finished steel wire rope mesh slings; illustrative order and values under 7312 90 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,000, so it is £4,800. 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

Mesh: compare width, effective length, rope construction and mesh pattern with the approved drawing; check for broken wires, distortion, corrosion and protruding ends.

End fittings: check opening dimensions, alignment, cracks, burrs and attachment security; inspect where the mesh enters each fitting.

Markings and documents: match sling identification and working load markings to the declaration, instructions and load-test records.

Packing: check that slings are separated and protected against moisture, crushing and abrasion; photograph damage before unpacking the affected items.

What goes wrong

A mesh sling can match the ordered width while differing in rope construction or end attachment. Uneven mesh, rough edges and distorted fittings can affect load contact and handling. Reject unexplained substitutions and keep suspect slings out of use while the supplier resolves them.

A generic rope certificate does not establish the performance of the finished mesh assembly. Ask for evidence covering the supplied mesh, fittings and attachment method. Confirm with HSE what thorough examination duties apply to the employer's lifting equipment rather than relying on arrival inspection alone.

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.