Sourcing tungsten rods from China
Tungsten rods from China carry 0% UK duty on both the simply sintered and further-worked lines in the supplied tariff record. Classify by manufacturing condition and intended use, and check the registration control before ordering welding-electrode stock. Cambridge China Bridge sources tungsten rods.
Tungsten rod duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 8101 covers tungsten and its articles. Simply sintered rods fall within 8101 94 00 00; rods other than those obtained simply by sintering are described under 8101 99 10 00. Both carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no residual anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The worked-rod line carries an anti-dumping or countervailing registration control. The reference guide identifies this with consignments from Laos and Thailand rather than direct Chinese consignments. Historical HMRC guidance also addresses tungsten welding electrodes, including rod stock. Ask your customs broker to confirm the current requirement for the product and route. The other-article and scrap lines carry waste import and export controls; confirm their application before shipping from China.
The comparison rows for fabricated articles and scrap are not alternative descriptions for ordinary new rods. For waste shipped under notification controls into England, destination, dispatch and transit authorities must consent before shipment. Confirm the commodity code using the manufacturing process and intended use. See the tungsten wire guide for wider heading context.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unwrought tungsten, including simply sintered rods | 8101 94 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Tungsten bars and rods other than simply sintered | 8101 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other tungsten articles, for comparison with fabricated rod parts | 8101 99 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Tungsten waste and scrap, including rod scrap | 8101 97 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify composition and rod condition
State whether you need pure tungsten or a tungsten heavy alloy. Agree composition, density, diameter, length, straightness, tolerances and surface finish. Describe whether the rods are simply sintered or further worked, and whether they will be machined, used as electrode stock or supplied as finished parts.
Request a batch certificate with composition and density results that can be matched to the delivered rods. For heavy alloys, agree whether magnetic behaviour matters. If you have not previously imported the substance, assess whether UK REACH registration is required before ordering; the tariff code alone does not settle that question.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of tungsten rods under 8101 99 10 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,800, so it is £6,160. 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 independent sample analysis with the ordered material and batch certificate; do not accept an alloy substitution against a pure-tungsten order.
Density: measure representative samples against the agreed specification, especially where porosity could leave heavy-alloy rods below the ordered density.
Dimensions: measure diameter, length and straightness against the drawing, including the allowance needed for subsequent machining.
Soundness and traceability: inspect ends and surfaces for chips and cracks, agree internal flaw testing where needed, and match package labels to batch certificates. Arrange quality inspection before dispatch.
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What goes wrong
Brittle rods can chip or crack during machining and transport. Porosity can reduce density, while material substitution can leave a rod unsuitable despite matching its nominal dimensions. Agree acceptance criteria and packing that prevents rods striking each other.
A generic description such as tungsten bar can conceal a different manufacturing condition or electrode use. Keep the process description, end use, consignment route and certificates together for the broker. Hold suspect batches apart until composition, dimensions and soundness have been checked.
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 tungsten rods from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for simply sintered rods and further-worked rods. It lists a registration control on the worked-rod line, so confirm product scope and consignment route with your broker.
Are sintered and worked tungsten rods classified together?
Simply sintered rods are described under 8101 94 00 00. Rods other than those obtained simply by sintering are described under 8101 99 10 00. Give your broker the manufacturing process.
What should a tungsten rod certificate show?
Ask for batch identification, composition and density results against the agreed specification. Match the certificate to package labels and verify samples independently.
How do I check tungsten rods before machining?
Check composition, density, diameter, length, straightness and surface damage. Agree internal flaw testing where needed, and test sample machining before releasing the batch.