Sourcing ZAM steel coils from China
The selected zinc-aluminium-magnesium coil candidate lines show 50% UK duty for China, with residual anti-dumping ranging from none to 27.90%. Classification follows the coating and steel chemistry, so confirm the line from the mill certificate. Cambridge China Bridge sources zinc-aluminium-magnesium coated steel coils.
Duty depends on coating and steel chemistry
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7210 covers coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel of a width of 600 mm or more. Zinc-aluminium-magnesium is a buying description rather than a complete tariff classification. The table gives candidate lines for checking against the coating composition, substrate chemistry and processing condition.
The supplied snapshot records 50% third-country duty for every selected line. It records 27.90% residual anti-dumping on 7210 49 00 30, 7210 69 00 30 and 7210 90 80 92, and none on 7210 69 00 80. These rows list no countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Named producer rates can differ and depend on the required invoice. The corrosion-resistant steel notice states that its anti-dumping duty ceases to apply on 9 February 2028.
Ask your customs broker to confirm the commodity code using the mill certificate and coating specification before ordering. The older published guide describes quota relief; confirm its availability for your declaration rather than assuming it from this snapshot. For wider heading coverage, see galvannealed steel coils.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-corrugated hot-dip zinc-coated coil within the chemical definition | 7210 49 00 30 | 50% | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
| Hot-dip aluminium or magnesium-coated coil within the chemical definition | 7210 69 00 30 | 50% | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
| Other aluminium-coated coil, surface-treated only | 7210 69 00 80 | 50% | None |
| Hot-dip magnesium or magnesium-zinc coated coil within the chemical definition | 7210 90 80 92 | 50% | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
Specify the alloy coating and forming application
State the substrate grade, coating composition and coating mass, including whether the quoted mass covers both faces together or each face separately. Specify thickness, width and tolerances, surface finish, passivation or oiling, coil weight, inner diameter and edge condition. Ask for certificates that distinguish the steel chemistry from the coating chemistry.
Give the mill your intended bending, roll-forming or stamping process and agree sample acceptance before production. Specify how coating adhesion, surface appearance and corrosion claims will be assessed. Check the mill's coating capability through factory verification.
For construction use, check the applicable product standard and conformity route for the product you will sell. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied to the Great Britain market. Agree the supporting documentation through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10 tonnes of zinc-aluminium-magnesium coated steel coil under 7210 90 80 92, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,000. Duty at 50% is £5,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,000, so it is £3,000. Import taxes total £8,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £5,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Traceability: match coil labels to the mill certificate, heat identity, substrate grade and coating designation.
Coating: check the agreed coating mass and composition evidence, bare spots, white corrosion deposits, scratches and adhesion after an agreed forming trial.
Dimensions: measure thickness and width, inspect edge damage and check flatness and camber on an uncoiled sample.
Packing: check dry wrapping, protected coil eyes, secure straps and photographs of moisture or transit damage before storage. Use an agreed inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes zinc-aluminium-magnesium coil but the certificate names only a generic coating. Coating mass is interpreted differently, surface treatment interferes with the buyer's next process, or the substrate does not form as expected. Damp packing and crushed edges can leave usable-looking outer wraps hiding damaged material.
A trade name is also used as the basis for a commodity code, without checking chemistry. Resolve the classification and producer invoice before dispatch, and ask the broker to check the entry-date measures. Keep the illustrative order separate from a supplier quotation; the calculation method is in UK import duty and VAT.
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 zinc-aluminium-magnesium steel coils from China?
The selected candidate lines show 50% duty in the supplied snapshot. Three also show 27.90% residual anti-dumping; 7210 69 00 80 shows none. Confirm the actual line and producer position before ordering.
Is there a single commodity code for ZAM steel coil?
Use the coating composition, substrate chemistry and processing condition to confirm the line. A supplier's trade name alone does not establish which candidate code fits.
What should the mill certificate show?
Ask for coil and heat identities, substrate grade and chemistry, mechanical results, coating designation and coating mass. Keep coating composition evidence separate from substrate chemistry.
What should I check when the coils arrive?
Match labels and certificates, inspect wrapping for moisture, and check edges, surface corrosion, thickness and width. Uncoil a sample to assess flatness and the agreed forming performance.