Sourcing rectangular steel sections from China

Duty on welded rectangular hollow sections

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 21 October 2026, heading 7306 includes welded rectangular steel hollow sections. The relevant lines distinguish stainless steel from other steel, then split non-stainless sections by wall thickness. The thicker-wall code covers both non-alloy and other alloy steel, which are shown separately in the table for purchasing clarity.

The supplied tariff snapshot lists 50% duty for every rectangular-section line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. The published wider guide explains the 0% steel tariff quota route for Chinese goods. Confirm quota availability before budgeting at that rate; the listed 50% rate remains the basis if quota relief is unavailable.

Give your broker the material certificate, cross-section drawing, wall thickness and manufacturing description. Confirm the classification using finding your commodity code. See the wider welded steel tube guide for heading-wide context.

Specify the wall, corners and weld seam

State the steel grade, rectangular outside dimensions, wall thickness, corner radii, length, straightness and twist tolerances. Identify whether the section is for structural fabrication, machinery frames or another application. Agree the applicable structural product standard and certificate requirements rather than accepting a description such as rectangular tube.

Specify the weld seam position, permitted internal weld flash, surface condition and coating. Request mill certificates linked to heat numbers and bundle labels. For construction products supplied in Great Britain, legitimately affixed CE marking remains accepted. Agree the conformity evidence for the intended use before placing the order.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 tonnes of welded rectangular non-alloy steel hollow sections under 7306 61 99 00, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £36,000. Duty at 50% is £18,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £54,000, so it is £10,800. Import taxes total £28,800; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £18,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Dimensions: measure both outside dimensions, wall thickness, corner radii and length against the agreed drawing; check straightness and twist.

Weld seam: inspect for visible cracks and incomplete fusion; check internal flash against the order and agree sample testing appropriate to the intended use.

Material traceability: match bundle labels and heat numbers to the mill certificates and purchased steel grade.

Surface and packing: check coating continuity, rust, dents and crushed ends; inspect bundles for movement damage and trapped moisture.

What goes wrong

Thin walls, oversized corner radii and twisted lengths can prevent sections fitting the buyer's fabrication jigs. Weld defects may become apparent during cutting or bending. Coating damage and wet bundles can leave corrosion beneath straps, so record condition before unloading and separating the bundles.

A sample certificate does not establish the identity of the delivered batch. Require traceable documents and measurements from production stock. Agree an acceptance checklist through quality inspection explained, including how mismatched certificates and damaged sections will be handled.

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.