Sourcing zinc-nickel steel sheet from China
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% duty for electroplated-zinc lines and 50% for the painted alternatives listed here, before trade remedies. Confirm the zinc-nickel coating, substrate and final finish against the exact commodity line. Cambridge China Bridge sources zinc-nickel coated steel sheet.
Duty depends on the coating and final finish
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7210 covers clad, plated or coated iron or non-alloy steel flat products at least 600 mm wide. For zinc-nickel sheet, have your broker assess the coating composition, deposition process and further working. The table gives candidate lines for electroplated material and painted variants, rather than a classification ruling. See the wider electrogalvanised steel guide.
For Chinese-origin goods, the supplied snapshot records 0% on 7210 30 00 10 and 7210 30 00 90, with no trade remedies, suspensions or attached controls. Both painted alternatives show 50%: 7210 70 80 25 also records residual anti-dumping of 49.98%; 7210 70 80 91 records 13.60% anti-dumping and 44.70% countervailing duty. Neither lists a suspension. Anti-dumping measures cover specified goods, so confirm the product scope before applying a recorded remedy to zinc-nickel sheet.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches anti-dumping or countervailing registration to 7210 70 80 25; the importer should confirm the requirement with their customs broker. The supplied snapshot does not mark these rows as subject to a steel measure, so do not assume a quota reduction from this data. Confirm the commodity code using the mill certificate and finish specification before ordering.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrolytically zinc-coated sheet, surface-treated or simply cut | 7210 30 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Electrolytically zinc-coated sheet, other | 7210 30 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other painted or plastic-coated sheet, surface-treated or simply cut | 7210 70 80 25 | 50% | 49.98% residual anti-dumping |
| Painted or plastic-coated non-alloy sheet within the stated product scope | 7210 70 80 91 | 50% | 13.60% residual anti-dumping; 44.70% residual countervailing |
Specify the zinc-nickel deposit and forming needs
Write down the substrate grade, sheet thickness, width, length, flatness and edge condition. Specify the zinc-nickel coating composition and coating mass or thickness on each face, including any different coating requirement between faces. Agree the passivation, sealer, oil and any paint system separately. Ask for coating analysis and batch records that distinguish zinc-nickel from plain zinc or nickel plating.
Agree coating adhesion checks after bending or pressing, corrosion test conditions and acceptance criteria for your intended component. Use samples made from the proposed production material. UK REACH generally covers substances in articles; obtain the coating and surface-treatment composition so your adviser can assess the applicable chemical obligations.
Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether heading 7210 products will fall within UK CBAM from 1 January 2027. Ask the mill for emissions data when planning orders that will arrive after that date.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of zinc-nickel coated sheet, subject to classification confirmation under 7210 30 00 10, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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
Batch identity: match bundle or coil marks to the mill certificate, substrate chemistry and coating analysis.
Coating: check composition and deposit thickness or mass on each face against the order; inspect for bare patches, scratches and corrosion.
Dimensions and forming: measure thickness, width, length and flatness; check edge burrs and coating adhesion on agreed formed samples.
Packing and arrival: inspect moisture protection, straps and edge guards; photograph wet wrapping, crushed corners and affected sheets before unpacking further.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes zinc-nickel but supplies plain zinc-coated sheet, or provides a substrate certificate without coating analysis. Uneven deposits, damaged edges and coating loss during forming can leave otherwise usable sheets unsuitable for the component. Link acceptance to the agreed tests and batch records, using a written inspection brief.
A painted finish can change the relevant tariff branch. Copying a code from an earlier unpainted order can therefore produce the wrong duty estimate. Resolve coating identity and remedy scope before shipment, and keep approval samples available for comparison with the delivered batch.
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-nickel steel sheet from China?
The supplied snapshot shows 0% for the electroplated-zinc lines and 50% for the listed painted alternatives, before trade remedies. Confirm which line fits the coating and finish.
Is zinc-nickel sheet the same as electrogalvanised sheet?
Ask for the actual coating composition and deposition process. A description saying only galvanised does not establish that the deposit contains nickel.
What should the mill certificate show?
Request substrate grade, batch identity, chemistry and mechanical results, plus coating composition and mass or thickness for each face. Obtain separate coating analysis if the mill certificate omits it.
How do I check zinc-nickel sheet before shipment?
Match batch records, measure dimensions and coating, inspect surface damage, and test adhesion after the agreed forming operation. Check that packing protects the sheet from moisture and edge damage.