Sourcing calcium silicate boards from China

Duty on calcium silicate insulation boards

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6806 covers mineral insulating mixtures and articles, among other mineral materials. The relevant supplied line for calcium silicate insulation boards is 6806 90 00 00, subject to checking composition and manufacture against the heading exclusions. The table shows board forms sharing this line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied facts show 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For imports into England under notification controls, shipment can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. For goods from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the waste control applies and the required procedure before shipment.

Give your broker the composition, manufacturing process, intended use and product photographs to confirm the commodity code. Heading 6806 excludes goods of headings 6811 and 6812 and Chapter 69. For related insulating boards within the wider heading, see the refractory ceramic fibre boards guide.

Specify the board and its heat exposure

State whether the board is for industrial equipment insulation or a building application. Agree composition, reinforcement, density, thickness, dimensions, edge profile and fixing method. Ask for thermal conductivity at the intended operating temperatures, continuous-use temperature evidence, shrinkage after heat exposure and strength appropriate to handling and installation. Match reports to the exact grade supplied.

For building use, establish the applicable assessment route and request the declaration of performance and matching marking evidence where applicable. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied in Great Britain. Agree the evidence package through testing and certification before approving production.

Specify asbestos-free material and obtain a laboratory report matching the supplied grade. Confirm with HSE the UK REACH restrictions on placing new articles with intentionally added asbestos on the market. HSE confirms that placing on the market includes import.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative palletised batch of calcium silicate insulation boards under 6806 90 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,000, so it is £3,200. 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

Dimensions: check thickness, flatness, squareness, cut edges and hole positions against the approved drawing.

Material: compare sample density and surface texture with the approved board; check for cracks, crumbling edges and moisture damage.

Performance: match thermal, shrinkage and strength reports, plus asbestos analysis, to the product grade and batch identification.

Packing: check moisture protection, edge support and pallet restraint; inspect arrival damage before accepting stock. Agree sampling through the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A supplier offers a general-purpose lining board against an insulation specification, or supplies reports for a different density or thickness. A temperature claim alone does not establish thermal conductivity, shrinkage or fixing performance. Keep the approved sample, drawing and report references together so substitutions are visible.

Unsupported pallet edges chip during handling, straps crush corners, and wet boards arrive with changed mass or surface condition. Separate damaged stock for assessment and record the packaging condition. Resolve missing material or performance evidence before supplying the boards to your customer.

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.