Sourcing basalt fibre fabric from China

Duty and classification for basalt fabric

Heading 6815 covers articles of stone or other mineral substances not elsewhere specified or included. For dry basalt fibre fabric, discuss the other-mineral-articles line, 6815 99 00 00, with your customs broker. The table shows fabric forms against this candidate line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. For the wider heading, see our carbon fibre and graphite guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. These tariff findings do not establish the suitability of a fabric for its intended application.

Provide the broker with fibre composition, weave, sizing, coating and intended use. Prepregs may be classified by their resin, as explained in the wider-heading guide. Confirm the commodity code for the actual material before shipment.

Specify the weave, sizing and intended laminate

Specify basalt fibre composition, weave, yarn construction, areal weight, usable width, roll length and permitted joins. State whether the fabric is dry, coated or resin-impregnated. Agree tolerances and retain an approved sample. Ask the supplier to identify the sizing and demonstrate compatibility with your intended resin through a trial laminate.

UK REACH generally applies to individual substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. Ask for composition information covering sizing and coatings, and assess the applicable obligations before supplying the fabric in Great Britain. Agree application-specific testing through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A batch of dry basalt fibre fabric rolls for a composite workshop; illustrative values, subject to classification under 6815 99 00 00, invoiced at £38,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £39,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £39,800, so it is £7,960. 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

Identity: check batch labels and material declarations against the approved basalt fabric sample; investigate any declared blend or coating change.

Dimensions: measure usable width and roll length, and check areal weight using samples taken across the fabric.

Weave: inspect for missing yarns, broken filaments, distorted weave, damaged edges and unagreed joins.

Condition: check for moisture, contamination and crushed rolls; compare resin wet-out on a sample with the approved trial. Record findings using the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A matching colour does not establish fibre identity. Unagreed sizing changes can affect resin wet-out, while distorted weave, uneven weight and damaged edges can undermine the planned lay-up. Keep suspect rolls separate and compare their documents and trial laminates with the approved batch before use.

Ask for handling information before cutting or processing the cloth. Where substances hazardous to health are involved, COSHH requires employers to plan, manage and monitor their use. Include the actual cutting and handling process in your workplace assessment.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.