Sourcing tungsten sputtering targets from China
Tungsten sputtering targets within heading 8101 carry 0% UK duty from China across the relevant lines. Confirm classification from the supplied target's form and check UK REACH status rather than assuming a machined target is exempt. Agree purity, geometry and backing details. Cambridge China Bridge sources tungsten sputtering targets.
UK duty on tungsten targets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8101 covers tungsten and its articles, including powder, simply sintered stock, plate and other articles. The relevant lines all carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no residual anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions. The table includes target-making inputs alongside finished articles; it does not assign every target the same code.
The plate line carries an anti-dumping registration control. The published tungsten guide identifies its scope as consignments from Laos and Thailand, rather than direct consignments from China. Powder and other-article lines attach waste import and export controls. Waste controls apply only to waste; confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before bringing spent targets or scrap from China.
Confirm the commodity code using the drawing, composition, manufacturing condition and any backing assembly. See tungsten plate sourcing for the wider material context. For waste subject to notification controls entering England, the exporter applies to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent; do not treat a scrap shipment as an ordinary new-target order.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other tungsten articles, including targets where classification is confirmed | 8101 99 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Tungsten plate and sheet for target blanks | 8101 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Unwrought tungsten, including simply sintered target stock | 8101 94 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Tungsten powder for target manufacture | 8101 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Purity, target geometry and backing
Specify tungsten purity and individual impurity limits, including oxygen, with a batch certificate of analysis. State whether the target is a disc, rectangular plate or tube. Supply a drawing covering thickness, flatness, mounting features and the usable sputtering surface. Agree density, porosity and surface finish rather than accepting a purity statement alone.
For bonded targets, specify the backing material, bonding method, bond coverage and the equipment's operating conditions. Agree how bond defects will be checked and how the target will be packed against edge damage and contamination. Use an approved sample and a deposition trial to establish acceptance.
Check UK REACH status before ordering. Businesses importing a substance into Great Britain at one tonne or more annually have registration responsibilities; substances in articles may also require registration where release during use is intended. Ask a chemical compliance adviser to assess the target's form and use, including who covers any registration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of machined tungsten sputtering targets under 8101 99 90 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: match the target batch to its analysis certificate and independently check agreed impurities.
Geometry: measure thickness, flatness, diameter or tube dimensions and mounting features against the drawing.
Soundness and bond: check cracks, chips and porosity; review the agreed bond inspection evidence for backed targets.
Cleanliness and identity: inspect the sputtering face and protective packaging; match target and backing identifiers to the batch records.
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What goes wrong
A target can meet the headline purity while missing the impurity limits needed for the coating process. Porosity, cracks, surface contamination or an uneven backing bond can undermine performance. Incorrect mounting geometry can prevent installation even when the tungsten composition is correct.
Keep the approved drawing, batch analysis and bond acceptance criteria together. Quarantine damaged or mismatched targets on arrival and record the defect before installation. Use quality inspection guidance to agree what the inspector measures and what requires laboratory or process testing.
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 sputtering targets from China?
The relevant heading 8101 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff reading. Confirm whether your shipment is plate, simply sintered stock or another tungsten article.
Which commodity code covers a tungsten sputtering target?
Check the supplied form and assembly. Plate and sheet fall under 8101 99 10 00; other tungsten articles have line 8101 99 90 00. Confirm a finished or backed target rather than relying on its sales name.
Does a tungsten target need UK REACH registration?
Assess its substance or article status and intended release. Substance imports at one tonne or more annually trigger registration responsibilities; intended-release articles may also require registration.
What should I request for a bonded tungsten target?
Request the target drawing, batch impurity analysis, backing material, bonding method and bond inspection evidence. Agree acceptance through an equipment-compatible sample and deposition trial.