Copper and brass fittings — solder elbows, DWV tees, press couplings, brass threaded adapters — serve plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration. They are lighter and more valuable per kilo than steel fittings. Three rules decide whether they can be sold in North America at all: the lead limit, certification and the trade measures on copper.
Lead-free is mandatory for drinking water
- US federal law limits lead in pipes, fittings and fixtures for potable water to a weighted average of 0.25% on wetted surfaces.
- Compliance is normally shown by third-party certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (lead content). Health effects testing to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 is also common.
- Canada's plumbing codes require certified products too, using the same NSF standards together with CSA B125.3 for many plumbing fittings.
- Products not certified for potable water must be clearly marked and sold only for non-potable uses.
Dimensional standards
ASME B16.22 (wrought copper solder), B16.18 (cast copper alloy solder), B16.29 / B16.23 (DWV) and B16.51 (press-connect) are the usual references — see standards guide.
US duties on copper fittings
- HTS heading 7412 covers copper and brass tube and pipe fittings.
- Copper fittings are within the Section 232 copper measures in force since 1 August 2025. Since April 2026, covered metal articles pay duty on full value at the annex rate — see HTS and tariffs.
- Copper Section 232 also brings origin questions about where the copper was produced, much like the smelt-and-cast rules for aluminium — see aluminium AIM licences.
Canada: anti-dumping on copper fittings
The CBSA applies anti-dumping duties to certain copper pipe fittings — solder-joint pressure and DWV fittings — from China, South Korea and the United States, and countervailing duties on those from China. Default rates are very high. In 2017 the CBSA also opened an investigation into copper fittings from Vietnam, so check the current measures list before quoting Canadian DDP prices — see fittings to Canada.
Shipping tips
- Copper is a theft target. Use sealed containers and plain carton markings, and avoid long stays in open yards.
- Protect solder ends from denting and keep press-fitting O-rings away from heat and sunlight.
- Value is high per carton, so check cargo insurance limits — see cargo insurance.