Sourcing titanium foil from China
Titanium foil from China carries 6% UK duty, reduced to 0% where a listed suspension applies. Match alloy composition, dimensions and any specified use to the commodity line before claiming relief. Agree thickness tolerances and heat-linked certificates before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources titanium foil.
Titanium foil duty: 0% to 6%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, heading 8108 covers titanium and its articles, including waste and scrap. Foil sits within plates, sheets, strip and foil. This guide concerns supplied foil, rather than titanium powder or scrap. See titanium sheet for wider flat-product sourcing.
The foil lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. Listed suspensions provide 0% for titanium alloy foil, qualifying wide non-alloyed foil and the specified condenser-tube strip or foil. Their footnotes exclude mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these products. Other foil has no suspension. The supplied foil lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls.
Confirm the commodity code using composition, thickness, width and any specified use. A supplier calling material foil does not establish suspension eligibility. The specialised condenser-tube line also specifies oxygen content, thickness and hardness; ask your customs broker to check the complete description against the material certificate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium alloy foil | 8108 90 50 55 | 6% | None |
| Non-alloyed titanium foil over 750 mm wide, not over 3 mm thick | 8108 90 50 80 | 6% | None |
| Specified non-alloyed strip or foil for nuclear plant condenser tubes | 8108 90 50 85 | 6% | None |
| Other titanium foil | 8108 90 50 90 | 6% | None |
Specify foil chemistry, temper and coil condition
State whether the foil is commercially pure titanium or an alloy, then name the grade and agreed material specification. Define thickness and width tolerances, annealed or other delivery condition, surface finish, edge condition, coil core and winding direction. Agree whether joints are acceptable and how usable coil length will be recorded.
Ask for a mill certificate linking each coil to its heat, chemistry and mechanical properties. For forming or welding, approve a sample in your own process before accepting production. UK REACH generally applies to substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles; review the foil's composition and intended use with your compliance adviser.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of non-alloyed titanium foil in slit coils under 8108 90 50 90, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,800. Duty at 6% is £168. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,968, so it is £593.60. Import taxes total £761.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £168 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Thickness and width: measure across the strip and along accessible coil lengths against the agreed tolerances; record variation rather than relying on a nominal thickness label.
Surface and edges: check under good light for pinholes, scratches, creases, embedded contamination and slit-edge burrs; agree which defects make the foil unusable.
Chemistry and traceability: match coil labels to heat-linked mill certificates and independently check the first delivery's chemistry against the ordered grade.
Coils and packing: check telescoping, crushed cores and damaged edges; confirm clean protective wrapping and segregation from steel. Set the inspection scope through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Foil can meet a nominal thickness while varying enough across its width to disrupt forming. Creases, pinholes and burrs can make sections unusable, while tightly wound coils conceal damage until unwinding. Agree an unwinding sample and defect recording method before shipment.
Substituted grades and certificates copied from another heat undermine both process suitability and tariff classification. Keep coil identity through cutting and storage, and investigate mismatched certificates before releasing material into production.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on titanium foil from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 6% duty, reduced to 0% for foil meeting a listed suspension. Other foil remains at 6%. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is listed on these foil lines.
Does all pure titanium foil qualify for zero duty?
No. The tariff lists specific qualifying non-alloyed products. Check width, thickness and any chemistry, hardness or use conditions; the other-foil line has no suspension.
What should a titanium foil mill certificate show?
Ask for the ordered grade, heat identity, chemistry and mechanical properties, with a clear link to each delivered coil. Agree independent chemistry checks for the first delivery.
How do I check titanium foil before shipment?
Measure thickness and width, inspect surfaces and slit edges, and unwind an agreed sample to check hidden creases and pinholes. Match coil labels to certificates and check protective packing.