Sourcing zirconium metal and parts from China
Zirconium from China, sponge, ingots, powder and articles such as tubes, sheet, bar and corrosion-resistant parts for chemical plant, pays 0% UK duty on all seven lines of heading 8109. The tariff splits zirconium by hafnium content, which matters for nuclear grades. Buyers check grade, composition, mechanical properties and corrosion performance.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 8109 covers zirconium and articles thereof, including waste and scrap, split by whether the metal contains less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight. All seven lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The waste and scrap lines carry the waste import control.
Zirconium compounds and zircon sand are other headings; confirm the commodity code from the mill certificate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unwrought zirconium and powder, less than 1 part hafnium to 500 zirconium | 8109 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Non-alloy zirconium sponge or ingots, high purity | 8109 29 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other unwrought zirconium and powder | 8109 29 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Zirconium waste and scrap, low hafnium | 8109 31 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other zirconium waste and scrap | 8109 39 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Zirconium articles, low hafnium | 8109 91 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other zirconium articles | 8109 99 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying zirconium
Specify the grade and its standard, zirconium plus hafnium content and the hafnium limit, oxygen, iron and chromium content, product form and dimensions, heat treatment, mechanical properties, and corrosion testing for chemical service. Ask for a mill certificate with heat numbers traceable to each piece.
Zirconium powder is flammable and can ignite, so it needs dangerous goods packing and a safety data sheet.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 zirconium heat exchanger tubes for a chemical plant under 8109 99 00 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £61,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £61,500, so it is £12,300. 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
Certificates: check heat numbers on the material against the mill certificate.
Testing: arrange independent chemical analysis and, for pressure parts, non-destructive testing.
Dimensions and surface: check tolerances, surface finish and marking. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Zirconium orders fail on grade and traceability. Material of a lower grade is supplied, certificates do not trace to the pieces, and welds on fabricated parts are contaminated, which ruins corrosion resistance.
Cambridge China Bridge sources specialist metals for UK engineering firms with certificates and independent testing agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on zirconium from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, all seven lines of heading 8109 carried 0% from China.
Why does the tariff mention hafnium?
It splits zirconium by whether it has less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium, the low-hafnium grades used in nuclear applications.
Is zirconium powder dangerous goods?
Yes. It is flammable and needs dangerous goods packing and a safety data sheet.
What certificates should I ask for?
A mill certificate with heat numbers traceable to each piece, plus independent analysis for critical parts.