Sourcing Andalusite refractory bricks from China

Duty and classification for andalusite bricks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6902 covers refractory ceramic bricks, blocks, tiles and similar constructional goods. Every supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension. The table shows brick forms under the other alumina/silica line, subject to confirmation of the finished composition.

The tariff attaches an import waste control. For waste entering England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in the country of dispatch for consent and follow its procedures. For spent or discarded bricks from China, confirm the applicable controls with your customs broker before shipment. The snapshot also lists export waste controls and a cultural-object export licence measure; ask your broker to assess these before any onward export.

Confirm the commodity code using the finished brick's chemical analysis, rather than the andalusite trade name alone. The table's repeated code describes different brick forms, not separate tariff subdivisions. For related grades within the heading, see our mullite refractory bricks guide.

Specify the andalusite recipe and lining geometry

Specify andalusite as a named raw material, its agreed share in the recipe, the binder and any other aggregates. Request the finished brick's alumina and silica analysis, bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, refractoriness under load and permanent dimensional change after heating. Agree acceptance values and test methods in the purchase specification.

Give the factory drawings for straight bricks, wedges, arches and special shapes, including tolerances, taper, joint faces and identification marks. Describe the furnace atmosphere, working temperature, heating cycles and contact with slag or process material. Ask for a proposed heating schedule and trial representative bricks under your operating conditions before approving repeat supply.

Solid wood packaging must meet the applicable requirements. Specify those requirements in the packing contract, alongside pallet strength, corner protection and protection from moisture.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order, not a quotation: a container of andalusite refractory bricks under 6902 20 99 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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

Material: match the declared andalusite recipe and finished chemical analysis to the agreed specification; connect sampled bricks and laboratory reports to the supplied batch.

Performance: check batch results for density, porosity, cold crushing strength, refractoriness under load and dimensional change after heating against the agreed acceptance values.

Fit and condition: measure dimensions, taper and warpage against drawings; inspect joint faces, cracks, chipped corners and handling damage.

Packing and arrival: check pallet stability, protection, labels and dryness; photograph damaged packs before unloading and reconcile delivered shapes with the packing list. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A supplier may offer an alumina grade without confirming the agreed andalusite recipe. Similar chemical analysis alone does not demonstrate the agreed formulation or service performance. Poor firing, variable porosity and weak thermal shock performance can lead to shrinkage, open joints and spalling. Keep formulation evidence, batch tests and trial results together.

Wrong wedge angles and warped joint faces prevent the lining from fitting; chipped corners make the problem worse. Agree replacement criteria before dispatch. Plan cutting work to limit dust before it starts, and request factory-made shapes where this reduces site cutting.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.