Sourcing welded steel H-sections from China
Welded steel H-sections from China under 7301 20 00 00 carry 0% UK duty, with no listed trade remedies or steel measure. For structural components, check the declaration of performance and factory production control certification before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources welded steel H-sections.
Duty on welded steel H-sections
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, welded steel H-sections within the welded angles, shapes and sections line of heading 7301 carried 0% duty from China under 7301 20 00 00. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control. The table shows finishes within the same commodity line. For the wider heading, see steel sheet piling.
Heading 7301 covers sheet piling and welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel. Sections prepared for use in structures can fall under heading 7308, so provide drawings and details of holes, end plates and other fabrication when confirming the commodity code. See steel structures and fabrications.
Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether and when these welded sections fall within the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism, which taxes embodied emissions in specified imported goods. Ask the fabricator to identify the mills supplying the flange and web plates, and retain their material records. See the UK carbon border adjustment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated welded steel H-sections | 7301 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the flange, web and welds
Order against approved drawings showing overall depth, flange width, flange and web thickness, length, straightness and flange squareness. State the steel grade, permitted plate substitutions, weld arrangement and size, end preparation, coating and identification marks. Agree the weld inspection method, acceptance criteria and reporting with the project engineer before production.
For fabricated structural components, the existing structural-steel guide describes certified factory production control, a stated execution class, a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking. CE marking continues to be available for construction products supplied in Great Britain. Ask for the relevant certificates, welding procedures, welder qualifications and material certificates. Agree the documentation scope through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 tonnes of uncoated welded steel H-sections 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 flange width, section depth, plate thickness and length against the drawings. Check web alignment, flange squareness, bow and twist.
Welds: inspect the flange-to-web joints for visible cracks, undercut and missed welds. Match weld size and continuity to the drawings, and review the agreed non-destructive test reports.
Traceability: match flange and web plate heat numbers to material certificates and member identification. Check that documents cover the factory and product being supplied.
Arrival: check coating damage, corrosion, bent flanges and bundle identification before releasing the sections for use. Compare findings with the shipment inspection record. See quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Welding distortion can leave flanges out of square or the section bowed and twisted. Thin substitute plate changes the section properties, while coating can hide surface weld defects. Check the bare fabrication before coating and repeat dimensional checks after welding and finishing.
Certificates can refer to different plate heats or a different fabrication site. Generic section drawings can also omit connection details needed by the project. Resolve mismatched records and drawing revisions before shipment, then keep the same member identification through unloading and arrival inspection.
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 steel H-sections from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 0% under 7301 20 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control.
Are welded H-sections classified like hot-rolled beams?
Non-welded hot-rolled sections use headings 7216 or 7228. Welded sections are covered here, but sections prepared for use in structures can fall under 7308. Confirm classification from the drawings.
What documents should I request for structural welded H-sections?
Ask for material certificates, welding procedures, welder qualifications, the factory production control certificate and declaration of performance. Check their scope against the actual factory and components.
How do I check welded H-sections on arrival?
Check flange and web thickness, squareness, bow, twist, coating damage and member identification against the drawings and shipment records. Match plate heat numbers to certificates and review the agreed weld test reports.