Sourcing unetched capacitor foil from China
The selected unetched aluminium capacitor foil lines from China all carry 6% UK duty, with no listed anti-dumping duty. Match the code to purity, thickness, cubic texture and processing condition rather than the supplier's product name. Cambridge China Bridge sources unetched aluminium capacitor foil.
UK duty and capacitor foil classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7607 covers aluminium foil not exceeding 0.2 mm thick, excluding backing. This guide concerns unetched capacitor feedstock. The selected lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these selected lines.
The high-voltage etching descriptions specify aluminium content of 99,98 % or more, thickness from 0,070 mm to 0,125 mm and cubic texture. The supplied descriptions for 7607 11 90 65 and 7607 11 90 67 are identical; ask your customs broker to resolve the applicable branch. Other specialised foil branches have suspensions, so these selected rates are not a heading-wide range.
Your import declaration must include the commodity code. Give the broker the composition certificate, thickness, reel format and confirmation that the foil is unetched and unbacked. Use finding your commodity code and the wider aluminium foil guide. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether the supplied aluminium foil will fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027; see the UK carbon border adjustment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain high-voltage etching foil with specified purity, thickness and cubic texture | 7607 11 90 65 | 6% | None |
| Plain high-voltage etching foil; supplied tariff description repeats the preceding line | 7607 11 90 67 | 6% | None |
| Other unbacked rolled foil coils, without internal layers, within specified thickness | 7607 11 90 91 | 6% | None |
| Other unbacked foil, rolled but not further worked, below the specified thickness | 7607 11 19 96 | 6% | None |
Specify the foil before etching
State whether the foil is intended for anode or cathode production, and identify the intended etching and forming process. Specify aluminium purity, individual impurity limits, thickness tolerance, slit width, temper, cubic texture where relevant, surface cleanliness and permitted pinholes. Record explicitly that the material is unetched, with any surface treatment disclosed.
Agree core dimensions, winding direction, reel weight, splice policy and moisture protection. Ask for reel-linked mill certificates and texture results, then qualify a sample in your own etching process before accepting production material.
UK REACH generally applies to substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. Obtain composition and surface-treatment information so your adviser can assess the obligations for the supplied material.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Trial reels of unetched high-voltage capacitor foil; illustrative order and values under 7607 11 90 65, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,500. Duty at 6% is £210. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,710, so it is £742. Import taxes total £952; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £210 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition and texture: match mill certificates and agreed laboratory results to each reel and batch; check impurity limits and the specified cubic texture.
Dimensions and winding: measure thickness across the width and along sampled material; check slit width, edge burrs, core condition, winding tension and telescoping.
Surface and packaging: inspect for scratches, pinholes, stains, rolling-oil residue, sticking layers and moisture damage; confirm protective wrapping remains intact.
Traceability and process trial: reconcile reel labels with certificates and packing records, then compare sample etching behaviour with the approved material. Define the checks in your inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A purity statement alone leaves impurity distribution, texture and surface condition unresolved. Material can match nominal thickness yet give inconsistent etching results. Treat changes to the mill, annealing route or surface treatment as reasons to repeat your agreed qualification checks.
Slitting burrs, crushed cores and uneven winding can cause tears during unwinding. Damp wrapping can conceal stained surfaces. Keep suspect reels separate, preserve their labels and record defects before processing them.
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 unetched capacitor foil from China?
The selected lines carry 6% duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Specialised branches elsewhere in heading 7607 have suspensions; confirm the exact specification and code.
Which commodity code covers high-voltage capacitor foil?
The supplied tariff lists 7607 11 90 65 and 7607 11 90 67 with identical high-voltage etching descriptions. Ask your broker to resolve the branch using purity, thickness and texture evidence.
Is a purity certificate enough to approve capacitor foil?
Also check individual impurities, cubic texture where specified, gauge variation and surface cleanliness. Qualify a sample in the intended etching process.
How should I inspect imported capacitor foil reels?
Check reel-linked certificates, thickness, slit edges, winding, surface defects and moisture protection. Keep batch identity through sampling and process trials.