Sourcing circular steel sections from China
Welded steel circular hollow sections from China carry 50% duty in the supplied tariff extract; the site's published guide describes 0% within quota. Certain small non-alloy circular tubes also attract 90.6% anti-dumping duty. Confirm the exact product and quota position before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources welded steel circular hollow sections.
Duty on welded circular hollow sections
Heading 7306 covers other iron or steel tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, including welded products. This guide concerns welded circular hollow sections. Alloy type, outside diameter, coating and whether a tube is a precision product affect classification. For the wider heading, see welded rectangular steel hollow sections.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the selected circular lines show 50% third-country duty. The extract lists no suspensions or import controls on these lines. It flags anti-dumping on 7306 30 72 80 and 7306 30 77 80 without giving a rate. The site's published welded-tube guide records 90.6% for covered Chinese non-alloy circular tubes up to 168.3 mm, with exclusions, separately from the steel quota duty.
The published guide describes 0% within the relevant steel quota and 50% outside it. Have your broker confirm quota availability and any anti-dumping exclusion for the actual shipment; do not assume relief from this extract. Confirm the commodity code using the material specification, dimensions, finish and intended use.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc-coated non-alloy welded circular tubes, outside diameter up to 168.3 mm | 7306 30 72 80 | 50% | See the tariff |
| Other non-alloy welded circular tubes, outside diameter up to 168.3 mm | 7306 30 77 80 | 50% | See the tariff |
| Non-alloy welded circular tubes, outside diameter over 168.3 to 406.4 mm | 7306 30 80 00 | 50% | None |
| Other welded stainless steel circular tubes | 7306 40 80 00 | 50% | None |
| Other welded circular tubes of other alloy steel | 7306 50 80 00 | 50% | None |
Specify the circular section and its intended use
State the steel grade, outside diameter, wall thickness, length, dimensional tolerances and delivery condition. Specify cold-formed or hot-finished supply, internal weld-flash treatment, end preparation and any galvanising or other protective finish. Send the factory the intended use and drawings rather than ordering by diameter alone.
The site's published guide identifies BS EN 10219 for structural hollow sections. Agree the applicable product standard and certificate requirements with the designer before ordering. Ask for mill certificates linked to heat numbers and, for construction use, the declaration of performance and supporting conformity documents. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market.
Keep the specification for plain tube separate from drawings for finished structural components. Match every certificate to the ordered product, factory and delivery batch. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence and tests before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 tonnes of non-alloy welded circular hollow sections under 7306 30 80 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 outside diameter, wall thickness around the circumference, ovality, straightness and cut length against the agreed specification.
Weld seam: check cracks, seam continuity, internal flash and end condition; arrange the agreed flattening or bend tests on samples.
Surface and packing: check rust, dents, coating coverage and flaking; inspect bundle protection and signs of water entry on arrival.
Traceability: match bundle labels and heat numbers to mill certificates, packing records and test results. Keep inspection records with the order; see quality inspection explained.
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What goes wrong
A tube can have the correct outside diameter but insufficient wall thickness, excessive ovality or a weak weld seam. Internal flash can obstruct a mating part, while poor galvanising leaves exposed steel. Agree acceptance criteria before production and inspect samples from the shipment rather than relying on a catalogue sample.
Classification errors can change the duty exposure. A structural circular section is not automatically a precision tube, and stainless steel is not interchangeable with non-alloy steel. Check the material and diameter evidence before declaring an exclusion. Review the import duty and VAT method before comparing landed costs.
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 welded circular hollow sections from China?
The selected lines in the supplied tariff extract show 50%. It also flags anti-dumping on certain small non-alloy circular tubes. Confirm any quota relief separately with your broker.
Do Chinese circular hollow sections attract anti-dumping duty?
The site's published guide records 90.6% on covered non-alloy welded circular tubes up to 168.3 mm outside diameter, with exclusions. A structural use alone does not establish an exclusion.
What should I put in a circular hollow section specification?
State steel grade, outside diameter, wall thickness, length, tolerances, delivery condition, weld-flash treatment, finish and intended use. Agree the product standard and certificate requirements.
What should I check when the circular sections arrive?
Check wall thickness, ovality, straightness, dents, weld seam and coating condition. Match bundle heat numbers to certificates and record water damage or rust before releasing the goods.