Sourcing zinc scrap and dross from China
Zinc waste and scrap from China, such as die-cast zinc scrap, zinc sheet clippings and some drosses, pays 0% UK duty under the single code 7902 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. The code carries the waste import control, so waste documents, or consent for notifiable waste, must be settled before shipping. Buyers check zinc content, contamination and assay terms.
0% duty and the waste control
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 7902 covers zinc waste and scrap. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
The code carries the waste import control. Material that is still waste needs the information document for non-hazardous green-list waste, or prior written notification and consent for notifiable waste, arranged before it leaves China; material that is not waste clears on a declaration.
Zinc ingots are covered in our zinc ingots guide; some zinc drosses and ashes are classified in chapter 26 rather than here, so confirm the commodity code from the material.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc waste and scrap | 7902 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying zinc scrap
Specify the material, zinc content, iron, aluminium, lead and cadmium limits, contamination such as attachments, paint and oil, and packing. Agree sampling, the assay laboratory and how the price adjusts, and confirm with the Environment Agency whether the lot is green-list or notifiable.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of zinc die-cast scrap under 7902 00 00 00, invoiced at £36,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £37,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £37,800, so it is £7,560. 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
Grade: check the scrap against the description and photos.
Assay: sample and assay zinc and impurities.
Documents: check waste documents or consent before loading. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Zinc scrap deals fail on grade and paperwork. Die-cast scrap carries iron and plastic attachments, zinc content is lower than invoiced, and shipments are held without the right waste documents.
Cambridge China Bridge sources metals for UK refiners and recyclers with assay and documents agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on zinc scrap from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, zinc waste and scrap under 7902 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Does zinc scrap need waste documents?
If it is waste, yes: the green-list information document or, for notifiable waste, notification and consent.
Is zinc dross always in heading 7902?
No. Some drosses and ashes are classified in chapter 26; confirm the code from the material.
Is zinc scrap in scope of UK CBAM?
Zinc is not one of the UK CBAM sectors.