Sourcing carbon fibre pultruded rods from China

Zero duty on non-electrical carbon fibre articles

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6815 covers articles of stone and other mineral substances, including carbon fibres and their articles. Non-electrical carbon fibre pultruded rods should be checked against 6815 13 00 00, other articles of carbon fibres. The table shows rod variants within that commodity line.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China throughout this heading. For the carbon fibre articles line, it records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, no suspension and no attached import control. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the supplied material, processing and intended use through finding your commodity code. A finished fishing rod or bicycle component may be classified by the finished product. For the wider heading and a different carbon fibre form, see woven carbon fibre fabric.

Specify the rod, resin and loading direction

Specify the cross-section, diameter or side dimensions, length, straightness, dimensional tolerances and cut-end finish. Identify the fibre maker and grade, resin system and fibre content. Agree whether the rods arrive ready for bonding or need surface preparation, and approve a sample in the actual mating fixture.

Ask for tensile and flexural results from specimens representative of the supplied rods, with the loading direction and test method stated. Agree acceptance criteria for the intended assembly rather than relying on fibre data alone. Obtain constituent information to check UK REACH Candidate List obligations; inclusion on that list brings obligations for suppliers.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 cut-to-length carbon fibre pultruded rods; illustrative order under 6815 13 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

Dimensions: check cross-section and length against the drawing, straightness against the agreed method, and fit in the mating fixture.

Material: check fibre and resin identification against batch records; section a sample to inspect reinforcement, voids and resin-rich areas.

Ends and surface: check for splitting, loose fibres, chips and surface contamination that could affect bonding.

Performance: check representative rod test reports against the agreed acceptance criteria and retain batch identification. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A rod can match the external dimensions but fail because the fibre grade, resin or reinforcement differs from the approved sample. Voids and resin-rich areas can weaken the material. Check the section and batch evidence rather than accepting a dark surface as proof of solid carbon fibre.

Bowed rods may not fit the assembly, damaged cut ends may split during fitting, and an unsuitable surface can produce inconsistent bonds. Inspect the actual cut lengths and trial the intended joint before accepting the batch.

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.