How to export Glass fibre to China

Glass fibre and automotive glass: identify the import route

Separate fibre materials from safety glass and mirrors before agreeing an order: their tariff and CCC treatment differ.

HMRC recorded £11.2m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 25 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £15.5m, -27.5%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £22.9m. January to July 2026: £4.6m against £7.0m in the same months of 2025 (-34.5%). These figures are UK exports under HS 7007-7019 (25 subheadings).

The largest UK export line was vehicle rear-view mirrors under HS 700910, UK line 70091000, at £3.8m. Use that distinction when assessing a buyer: a mirror distributor and a purchaser of fibre reinforcement need different product specifications. Agree the product form and intended use before treating an enquiry as a viable order.

Resolve CCC scope before committing stock

The CCC reference table links automotive safety glass to 7007219000 and 7007119000, and vehicle rear-view mirrors to 7009100000, with self-declaration evaluation. It links building safety glass to 7007290000 and 7007190000 with third-party certification. Have the importer establish the applicable product scope and evaluation route; a matching commodity number alone should not settle the shipment decision.

Automotive safety glass must change to third-party CCC certification from 1 January 2027, with conversion completed by 31 December 2026. From the change date, these products require the CCC certificate and mark before import. Allow months, not weeks, for approval work; the Chinese authority decides. Obtain the relevant product evidence before agreeing dispatch.

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The selected lines below show why a single duty assumption is unsuitable. The verified safety-glass subheadings carry different MFN rates. Import VAT is normally 13%, calculated on customs value plus duty plus consumption tax where applicable. The importer’s customs adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to the product. These border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price your buyer can offer.

Use retail cross-border channels only for eligible mirrors

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list partially covers this range: its matched entries are 70099100 and 70099200 for other unframed and framed glass mirrors, including rear-view mirrors. That does not extend the route to every fibre or automotive product. Listed goods imported through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 channels receive personal-use supervision, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to the stated epidemic and emergency-risk exceptions.

This is a consumer route: buyers must accept a risk notice and may not resell the goods. The limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person. The overseas business carries primary quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declarations and shared civil liability. Assess it separately from supplying a distributor’s resale stock.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, classify the glass product, obtain a GB EORI and arrange the online export declaration. The declarant needs the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing-list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates. Keep your UK classification separate from the Chinese tariff-line and CCC checks agreed with the importer.

Check the importer and agree who handles compliance

Ask a prospective buyer to explain which glass products it handles, the intended use and how it will resolve Chinese classification and CCC scope. Request the applicable certificate or self-declaration evidence before stock is committed. Cambridge China Bridge’s own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands; if a company has already approached you, our staff check it before stock is sent or anything is signed.

Through our export-to-China service, we prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners in China, and the brand’s own filings remain the brand’s. We check with licensed partners on the applicable requirements.