Sourcing welded steel angles from China

UK duty on welded steel angles

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7301 covers iron or steel sheet piling and welded angles, shapes and sections. Welded steel angles fall within 7301 20 00 00. The table shows purchasing variants of this same commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control. Heading 7301 is covered by the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January 2027. Ask the supplier for steel-production emissions data and consult the UK carbon border guide.

Non-welded hot-rolled angles are classified separately. Sections prepared for use in structures can fall under heading 7308. Give your broker the drawing, manufacturing process and intended use, then confirm the commodity code. For other welded profiles within this heading, see welded steel T-sections.

Specify the legs, weld and intended use

Specify equal or unequal legs, each leg width and plate thickness, steel grade, finished length, straightness, twist and the angle between the legs. Show the weld location, size, continuity and acceptance criteria on the drawing. Agree inspection access, any non-destructive testing, end preparation and coating before production.

For angles supplied as fabricated structural components for buildings or civil works, request the declaration of performance, factory production control certificate and CE or UKCA marking documents. Confirm the execution class with the project engineer. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied in Great Britain. Ask for welding procedures, welder qualifications and material certificates matched to the supplied steel.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 tonnes of welded steel angles under 7301 20 00 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £36,000, so it is £7,200. 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

Dimensions: measure both legs, plate thickness, length and squareness against the drawing; check straightness and twist along the section.

Welds: compare weld size and continuity with the drawing; look for cracks, undercut and missed welds, and review agreed test reports.

Traceability: match heat numbers and bundle markings to material certificates; match structural-use documents to the actual product and factory.

Finish and packing: check coating coverage and agreed thickness, protect edges and support bundles against bending. Arrange checks before dispatch and repeat them on arrival using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

Welding can pull the legs out of square or leave the angle bowed and twisted. A section may match the overall leg sizes while using thinner plate or an undersized weld. Agree a measurement method and weld acceptance criteria, and inspect before coating conceals the surface.

Certificates can describe a different heat or factory, while generic marking paperwork may not identify the supplied structural component. Resolve mismatches before shipment and keep drawings, certificates and inspection reports together. Use factory verification to check the supplier's welding and traceability arrangements.

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.