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United Kingdom Import Duty Rate for Steel Flat Products

HS 7208–7211 · Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel

United Kingdom MFN Import Duty Rate

Live

0–4%

on CIF value

Safeguard TRQs apply on certain origins.

Rate varies — verify exact HS subheading at the official tariff schedule.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (0–4%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

VAT (20%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: steel flat products worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. United Kingdom charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to GBP at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 0%	At 4%
Import duty	$0	$436
VAT (20%)	$2,180	$2,267
Total paid at the border	$2,180	$2,703

VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. The rate depends on the exact subheading, which is why the example shows both ends of the 0–4% range. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying steel flat products correctly

Headings 7208–7212 cover flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel — hot-rolled (7208), cold-rolled (7209), coated (7210) and narrow strip (7211–7212).

Width (600 mm and over vs under) splits 7208–7210 from 7211–7212
Alloy steel goes to 7219–7226
The coating (zinc, tin, aluminium-zinc) decides the 7210 subheading

Compliance. Steel is one of the most trade-remedied products: Section 232 in the US, EU and UK safeguard quotas, anti-dumping duties in most markets, and CBAM in the EU.

Importing into United Kingdom: what you need

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collects duty and import VAT through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS); rates come from the UK Global Tariff.

Registration. A GB EORI number. Non-UK sellers usually appoint a UK customs agent or use a carrier's DDP service.

Low-value shipments. Customs duty is waived when a consignment is worth £135 or less, but 20% VAT applies from £0 — for parcels up to £135 the seller or online marketplace charges UK VAT at checkout.

Documents customs will ask for

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document
Statement on origin to claim 0% under the UK–EU TCA or another UK trade agreement
Licences for controlled goods (e.g. some steel, chemicals)

Charges on top of duty

Import VAT 20% (5% or 0% for some goods) — VAT-registered businesses can use postponed VAT accounting
Excise on alcohol, tobacco and fuel
Trade remedies and anti-dumping duties from the Trade Remedies Authority

Watch out. Since Brexit, EU-made goods still need a statement on origin to enter duty-free; without it the full UK Global Tariff rate applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Steel Flat Products in United Kingdom?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Steel Flat Products (HS 7208–7211) in United Kingdom is 0–4% on the CIF value. Safeguard TRQs apply on certain origins.

Is VAT charged on Steel Flat Products imports to United Kingdom?

Yes. United Kingdom charges VAT at 20% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Steel Flat Products in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom has free trade agreements with UK–EU TCA, UK–Japan CEPA, CPTPP, UK–Australia FTA, UK–New Zealand FTA. Check whether your origin country qualifies for a preferential rate on HS 7208–7211.

How is import duty calculated for Steel Flat Products entering United Kingdom?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 0–4% is applied to this value. VAT (20%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.