Sourcing terne-coated steel sheet from China

Duty on lead-coated sheet, including terne-plate

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7210 covers coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel at least 600 mm wide. This guide covers the lead-coated branch, including terne-plate. Confirm the substrate and coating composition rather than relying on the supplier's product name. The table separates supply forms that share a commodity code.

The supplied tariff snapshot records 50% third-country duty for goods from China under 7210 20 00 10 and 7210 20 00 90. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Use this dated snapshot for the figures here; the older wider-heading guide describes a different tariff position.

Confirm the coating, width, substrate and processing with your customs broker using the mill records and commodity-code guide. For other coatings, see the coated steel sheet and tinplate guide. Recheck the tariff before declaring the shipment.

Specify the coating and forming performance

Write the substrate grade, coating composition, coating mass per face, sheet thickness, dimensions and tolerances into the order. Ask the mill to state the lead and tin content rather than describing the finish only as terne. Agree surface finish, edge condition, flatness and packing. For coils, specify coil weight and inner diameter.

Approve a sample using your intended folding and joining process. Check coating adhesion after forming and agree how bare patches, scratches and edge damage will be assessed. Keep the approved sample and inspection records tied to the production batch.

Employers must protect employees against risks from lead. Plan the handling and fabrication method before ordering. HSE also requires training and supervision so workers use exposure controls properly. UK REACH Candidate List inclusion brings supplier obligations; have the coating composition checked against that list before selling.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of terne-coated sheet under 7210 20 00 10, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 50% is £10,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,000, so it is £6,000. Import taxes total £16,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £10,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match sheet or coil markings to the mill records, substrate grade and declared coating composition.

Dimensions: measure thickness, width, length and flatness against the purchase specification; inspect cut edges for burrs.

Coating: check for bare patches, scratches and peeling; verify coating mass or thickness and repeat the agreed forming trial.

Packing: check moisture protection, straps, edge protection and batch identification; record transit damage before releasing stock. See the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A product name can hide a different substrate or coating composition. A quotation without those details leaves classification and fabrication suitability unresolved. Other failure points include coating damage at folds, exposed substrate, distorted sheets and wet packs. Match the purchase specification, mill records and inspected goods before accepting the batch.

Treat a lower duty assumption as a point to resolve before ordering. The supplied terne-specific lines record 50%, so do not carry over the older wider guide's quota explanation without checking the declaration position with your broker.

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.