If you are importing sheet metal parts into the United Kingdom, one of the first questions you will face is which HS code to use. It is not the most exciting part of the buying process, but it is one of the most important. The code you choose decides the duty rate you pay, whether your goods are held for inspection, and even whether you trigger extra checks such as carbon border measures. Get it wrong, and a routine shipment can turn into a costly delay.
This guide explains how sheet metal parts are classified for import into the UK, which codes are most commonly used, and what you should check before your next shipment leaves the factory.
What is an HS code and how does it work in the UK?
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally agreed naming and numbering system for traded goods, maintained by the World Customs Organization. The first six digits of a code are the same in almost every country, which is why they are the safest starting point when you are comparing classifications across markets.
In the UK, importers go one step further and use a full eight or ten digit "commodity code" taken from the UK Global Tariff, the country's own tariff schedule that replaced the EU's Common Customs Tariff after Brexit. The extra digits add detail for the UK's own duty rates, VAT treatment, and trade statistics, so the six-digit code alone is rarely enough for a customs declaration.
Common HS codes for sheet metal parts imported to the UK
There is no single category called "sheet metal parts". Customs classifies goods by what they are made of and what they are used for. The table below lists the codes you will most often come across when importing stamped and fabricated metal components into the UK.
| HS Code (first 6 digits) | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| 7326.90 | Other articles of iron or steel | Generic stamped steel parts, brackets, and custom shapes with no specific machine application. |
| 8708.29 | Other parts and accessories of bodies for motor vehicles | Body-in-white parts, door panels, seat frames, and dashboard structural components. |
| 8708.99 | Other parts and accessories of motor vehicles | Chassis components, fuel tank mounts, exhaust brackets, and suspension parts. |
| 7616.99 | Other articles of aluminum | Lightweight stamped aluminum parts and structural brackets not tied to one machine. |
| 8538.90 | Parts for electrical apparatus | Stamped metal housings, switchgear enclosures, and electronic component parts. |
| 8207.30 | Tools for pressing, stamping or punching | Stamping dies and tooling used to form the parts themselves. |
UK import data shows that a wide range of codes are actually used for sheet metal parts, from articles of iron or steel under heading 7326 to automotive parts under heading 8708 and electrical parts under heading 8538. The right hs code for sheet metal parts depends on the exact product, so it always pays to confirm the full commodity code rather than guessing.
Material or end use: which one wins?
Customs classification usually comes down to two questions: what is the part made of, and what is it used for? For a stamped steel panel that is clearly a car door, the end use usually wins, and the part is classified as an automotive part under Chapter 87 rather than as a generic article of steel. For a simple bracket that could be used in anything, classification falls back to the material, which normally means Chapter 73 for steel or Chapter 76 for aluminum.
The level of finishing matters too. A part that has been heavily machined, threaded, coated, or assembled with other materials after stamping may no longer fit a simple "forged or stamped, not further worked" description. This is exactly where experienced suppliers earn their keep, because the way a product is described on the commercial invoice needs to line up with the code being claimed.
What duty and VAT will you pay?
Because China does not have a free trade agreement with the UK, most sheet metal parts imported from China are subject to the standard UK Global Tariff rates. On top of the customs duty, import VAT is charged at the standard rate of 20%, and it is calculated on the customs value plus the duty. The customs value is normally the CIF value, meaning the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight to the UK border.
In practice, the landed cost works out roughly as: customs value plus duty, then 20% VAT on that combined figure. Because VAT is charged on the duty as well as the goods, a small classification mistake can quietly inflate the total cost of every shipment you bring in.
Extra checks to watch for
Beyond duty and VAT, a few UK-specific measures can affect metal parts, and they are easy to miss if you only look at the tariff rate.
- Carbon border measures: iron and steel goods, including many articles under heading 7326, are being brought into the UK's carbon border adjustment regime from 2027. Importers may need to report the embedded emissions of the goods they bring in.
- Steel safeguard measures: certain steel products are covered by tariff-rate quotas, and imports above the quota can face additional duty.
- Anti-dumping duties: some steel and aluminum products from specific origins carry anti-dumping duties. An incorrect code can flag your shipment for the wrong treatment and tie up your money in disputes.
What about the tooling?
If you are also importing the stamping die that produces the parts, remember that the tooling is classified separately from the parts. Forming dies for metal are usually placed under 8207.30, which covers tools for pressing, stamping or punching. Many buyers avoid this complication altogether by keeping the tooling at the manufacturer's plant and importing only the finished parts, with the tooling cost built into the piece price.
Why the right manufacturing partner helps
A good manufacturer does more than stamp parts. DA Stamping, a China-based factory with more than 20 years of experience exporting to over 10 countries, handles the whole chain in-house: die design, stamping, welding, assembly, and inspection. Its documentation team knows how to describe products on commercial invoices so they match the intended HS code, which reduces the risk of customs delays and unexpected duties.
Working with a supplier that already ships to the UK and other markets also means the paperwork, material certificates, and product descriptions are prepared with customs in mind from day one. That is the kind of detail that keeps a container moving instead of sitting at the port.
Final thoughts
The right HS code for sheet metal parts imported to the UK depends on the material, the end use, and the level of finishing. Start with the first six digits, confirm the full commodity code in the UK Global Tariff, and check whether carbon border or safeguard measures apply to your product. When in doubt, work with a manufacturer that has real export experience and can help you get the paperwork right the first time.