Sourcing bullet-resistant glass from China
Bullet-resistant laminated glass from China carries 0% UK duty on the listed laminated-glass lines. For building products covered by a designated standard, confirm with the relevant authority whether the manufacturer needs to draw up a declaration of performance. Specify the threat and obtain matching ballistic test evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources bullet-resistant laminated glass.
Duty on bullet-resistant laminated glass
Heading 7007 covers toughened and laminated safety glass. Separate bullet-resistant laminated panes for buildings generally fall within 7007 29 00 00. The table shows applications sharing this line. Laminated glass sized and shaped for motor vehicles has a separate line. See the wider laminated security-glass guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied laminated-glass lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines.
Confirm classification against the actual construction and shipment, especially where frames, fittings or complete assemblies are included. Use finding your commodity code before agreeing the customs description.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet-resistant laminated panes for security counters | 7007 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the ballistic threat and glass construction
Have the project security adviser define the intended threat and test acceptance criteria. Record the ammunition, projectile, velocity, firing distance, shot pattern and protected-side fragment criteria in the purchase specification. Ask for the full ballistic test report matching the proposed layer construction, thickness and attack-face orientation. Agree how production panes will be traced to that construction.
Agree pane drawings, dimensions, tolerances, edge finish, optical quality and any glass or polymer layers. Check the proposed frame, edge cover, supports, seals and installation orientation with the system designer. Obtain evidence for the intended installed assembly as well as the pane. Use testing and certification support to review the proposed evidence before approving production.
Obtain any applicable declaration and supporting reports for the exact product and intended use. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Check the applicable marking route separately from the ballistic performance evidence.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative project order: made-to-size laminated panes for security counters and screens under 7007 29 00 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £45,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £45,000, so it is £9,000. 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 and evidence: match pane identifiers, batch records and layer construction to the approved specification and ballistic report; check the attack-face identification.
Dimensions and fit: measure pane size, thickness, diagonals and edge details against the drawing; trial-fit an approved sample with the intended supports and seals.
Appearance and edges: inspect for cracks, chips, scratches, bubbles, inclusions, distortion and delamination, including at corners and along exposed edges.
Packing and arrival: check crate supports, separators and signs of movement or moisture; photograph damage before unpacking and retain pane identification. Build these checks into quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A report for a different layer construction, thickness or fragment criterion leaves the ordered glass without matching performance evidence. A generic safety-glass report also leaves the ballistic specification unanswered. Agree the exact tested construction and obtain approval before allowing material substitutions.
The pane may arrive intact but fail to fit the intended frame, or its attack face may be installed in the wrong orientation. Edge damage, poor support and incompatible seals can also undermine the installation. Resolve the pane and frame details together before production, and agree how damaged or mismatched panes will be quarantined.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on bullet-resistant laminated glass from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty under 7007 29 00 00 for other laminated safety glass, with no listed trade remedy, suspension or attached import control.
What test evidence should I ask the factory for?
Ask for the full ballistic report matching the ordered layer construction, thickness, attack face and fragment criteria. Have the project adviser check it against the specified threat.
Does CE marking prove the glass is bullet-resistant?
Check the ballistic report separately from building-product documents. Obtain a declaration of performance where a designated standard applies, and match the declared performance to the order.
Can I buy the glass without its frame?
You can specify separate panes, but agree the frame, edge cover, supports, seals and orientation with the system designer. Ask for evidence matching the intended installed assembly.