Sourcing tantalum washers from China

UK duty on tantalum washers

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8103 covers tantalum and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. Finished tantalum washers are candidates for 8103 99 90 00, the other articles line. The table shows washer forms within that same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff snapshot records 0% duty for goods from China throughout this heading, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions. It attaches import and export waste controls, including to the washer candidate line. Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For new washers from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the import-control declaration; for discarded washers, confirm the applicable waste procedure before shipping.

Give your broker the material composition, drawing and description of the finished washers to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading context, see tantalum nuts.

Specify the washer material and drawing

Specify pure tantalum or the named alloy, the agreed composition limits, bore, outside diameter, thickness, tolerances and flatness. Define edge condition, surface finish and whether machining or stamping is acceptable. Identify the mating bolt and bearing surface so the supplier can make a sample for an assembly check.

Ask for a material certificate linked to the production batch, with composition results and the source material identity. Agree cleanliness, packaging and acceptance criteria before production. For chemical equipment, give the equipment designer the actual operating conditions to approve the material and washer geometry.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 flat tantalum washers; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 8103 99 90 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,800, so it is £560. 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

Material: match the batch certificate to the supplied washers and arrange independent composition testing where material identity is critical.

Dimensions: measure bore, outside diameter and thickness against the drawing; check thickness around the washer and test fit on the intended bolt.

Edges and flatness: inspect the bore and outer edge for burrs, cracks and sharp projections; check that the washer seats flat without rocking.

Packing and traceability: keep sizes and material batches separated, check bag labels against certificates and inspect for scratches or contamination. Agree the scope of quality inspection before dispatch.

What goes wrong

A certificate can describe the original sheet without proving which batch became the delivered washers. Mixed sizes, undersized bores, uneven thickness and stamping burrs can prevent the washer from seating correctly. Approve the drawing and sample, then compare the production batch with both.

Do not treat a general chemical registration statement as a complete assessment of finished washers. HSE says UK REACH registration applies to substances in articles only in certain limited cases. Ask your adviser to assess the actual washer composition and supply form, rather than assuming the rules for bulk tantalum apply unchanged.

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.