Sourcing tin bronze sheets from China

UK duty on tin bronze sheets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, tin bronze sheet exceeding 0.15 mm thick falls within heading 7409. Copper-tin alloys in coils use 7409 31 00 00; flat sheets use 7409 39 00 00. The table shows purchasing variants sharing these codes.

Both bronze lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control for either line. The suspensions elsewhere in this heading concern refined copper, not these bronze lines.

Confirm composition, thickness and whether the material arrives flat or coiled using finding your commodity code. For other alloys, see the copper and brass sheet and strip guide.

Specify alloy, temper and flatness

Write the alloy designation and agreed composition into the order, including tin and any other alloying elements. Ask for a mill certificate linked to the supplied batch. Do not accept a colour photograph or the word bronze as evidence of composition.

Specify temper, thickness tolerance, width, length, flatness, edge condition and surface finish. For coils, also agree coil weight and inner diameter. Give the mill your forming or machining application and agree how sample material will be assessed before approving production.

UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances being placed on the market or used. Ask for composition and coating information so applicable restrictions can be checked for your intended supply and use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 tonnes of flat tin bronze sheets, illustrative only under 7409 39 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,800, so it is £4,560. 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 batch identification to the mill certificate and ordered alloy; test composition and hardness where performance depends on them.

Dimensions: measure thickness across the sheet, check width and length, and assess flatness, edge burrs and coil curvature against the agreed specification.

Surface: check for scratches, oxidation, oil stains and damage beneath straps; inspect interleaving and protection between sheets.

Packing: check moisture protection, edge protection and secure support. Solid wood packaging used to import goods into Great Britain must meet the international phytosanitary packaging standard.

What goes wrong

The wrong alloy or temper can pass a visual check but behave differently during forming. Sheets may crack, retain unwanted curvature or vary in thickness. Burrs, scratches and tarnish can also create extra processing work. Agree acceptance criteria using a sample and keep its certificate with the order.

Check material identity and dimensions before dispatch, then inspect packing and sheet condition on arrival. Record disputed batches separately and compare them with the agreed specification. Use the quality inspection guide to plan the checks.

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.