Sourcing anti-reflective glass from China

Zero duty for non-reflecting coated sheets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7005 covers float glass and surface-ground or polished glass in sheets, including glass with a non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked. Non-wired anti-reflective coated sheets fall under 7005 10 05 00. The table shows thickness variants sharing this commodity line, rather than separate tariff bands.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. Toughened or laminated safety glass belongs to heading 7007, and insulating glass units to 7008, as explained in the published float glass guide.

Confirm the commodity code using the coating description and any further processing. The low-emissivity coated float glass guide provides wider heading context. Import VAT is normally 20%; see the duty and VAT guide.

Specify the coating and intended use

Specify sheet dimensions, thickness tolerances, substrate tint, coated faces and coating orientation. Agree the reflectance and light-transmission targets, measurement method, viewing angle and acceptable residual reflection colour. Keep an approved sample for comparisons. Ask the factory to state permitted cleaning products and compatibility with the cutting, heat treatment or lamination you intend.

For building use, confirm with the relevant construction-product authority whether a declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking apply to the supplied sheets. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. For doors, low windows and other critical locations, confirm applicable glazing safety requirements with the relevant building control body before installation; the anti-reflective coating alone does not establish suitability.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative container shipment of anti-reflective coated float glass sheets for a glazing business; FOB value and freight including insurance are hypothetical under 7005 10 05 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £3,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £14,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,200, so it is £2,840. 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

Optical performance: compare sampled sheets with the approved sample under the agreed lighting and viewing angles; check reflectance and transmission reports against the ordered coating.

Coating condition: inspect for scratches, pinholes, patchiness, haze and colour differences; confirm coated-face identification against the packing labels.

Dimensions and edges: measure thickness and sheet dimensions against the order; inspect edges for chips and sheets for cracks, bubbles and distortion.

Packing and arrival: check racks, interleaving, desiccant and restraints before loading; on arrival, photograph wet packing, shifted sheets and breakage before unpacking further.

What goes wrong

A sample can look acceptable face-on but show distracting coloured reflections at the customer's viewing angle. A coating description without a measurement method leaves buyers comparing unlike results. Approve the appearance in the intended display or glazing arrangement and compare production samples under the same conditions.

Coated sheets can arrive scratched where packing touches the surface. Moisture can stain stacked glass or make sheets stick together, while movement in the rack chips edges and breaks sheets. Record coating defects separately from transit damage and retain the affected packing when discussing the claim.

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.