Sourcing tin-rich tin-indium ingots from China

UK duty on tin-rich tin-indium ingots

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 8001 covers unwrought tin. The relevant line for this guide is tin alloys, 8001 20 00 00. The supplied tariff facts contain only one line relevant to tin-rich tin-indium alloy ingots.

The duty for goods from China is 0%. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for that line. Assess UK REACH registration separately: HSE advises businesses importing a substance for the first time to consider whether registration is required, and registration is per substance, per legal entity.

Give your customs broker the full composition and confirmation that the goods are unwrought ingots. Confirm the commodity code before shipment, especially if the supplier offers a different tin-indium balance or a worked form. For wider heading coverage, see the tin-bismuth alloy ingots guide.

Specify the tin-indium balance and melt behaviour

Specify tin and indium content by mass, permitted variation and limits for unwanted metals, including lead, cadmium and bismuth. State whether additional alloying elements are permitted. Ask for a certificate of analysis tied to each melt batch, with the test method and actual results rather than a generic alloy description.

Agree ingot mass, dimensions, batch marking and packaging. Describe the intended soldering or remelting process and agree a sample trial for melting behaviour, wetting and residue. If the alloy is intended for soldering electrical products, confirm with the relevant product-safety authority whether lead restrictions apply to the finished product and whether an exemption covers the use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small pallet of tin-rich tin-indium alloy ingots under 8001 20 00 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,900, so it is £5,580. 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

Composition: compare the batch analysis with the agreed tin-indium balance and impurity limits; send representative samples for independent laboratory testing.

Traceability: match ingot markings and package labels to the melt batch, analysis certificate and packing list.

Condition: check for loose oxide, oil, moisture, foreign material and damaged packaging; weigh the delivered metal against the packing list.

Process trial: test a retained sample in the intended melt or soldering process and compare wetting, residue and melting behaviour with the approved sample.

What goes wrong

A certificate headed only 'tin-indium alloy' leaves the actual balance unclear. Mixed melt batches, unexpected alloying additions or contamination can produce different melting and wetting behaviour. Surface appearance cannot establish composition, so keep batches separate until the analysis and process trial are accepted.

Agree how a failed batch will be isolated, retested and resolved before ordering. Retain labelled samples and record the delivered batch identity. Use the quality inspection guide to define the inspection brief.

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.