Sourcing ceramic fibre modules from China

Ceramic fibre module duty and waste controls

Heading 6806 covers mineral insulating materials and articles. For prepared ceramic fibre modules, assess the other-articles line, 6806 90 00 00, against the actual composition and construction. The table shows module variants against this same candidate line, not separate tariff subheadings. For the wider product family, see ceramic fibre blankets.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines of heading 6806 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The candidate module line carries import and export waste controls.

For used or recovered modules from China, ask your customs broker and the relevant environmental regulator to confirm whether waste controls apply and which procedure is required. Waste shipped under notification requires consent from the authorities of dispatch, destination and transit before movement. Confirm the finished module's commodity code before ordering.

Fibre grade, module compression and anchoring

Specify fibre chemistry, module dimensions, compressed density, fold direction and the required installed thickness. Give the supplier the furnace operating conditions, atmosphere and lining drawing. Ask for shrinkage and thermal performance reports for the proposed fibre grade under stated test conditions. Agree the anchor material, fixing position, installation tool access and joint arrangement with the lining designer.

HSE advises avoiding inhalation of ceramic fibre dust and skin contact. Where harmful exposure cannot be eliminated, adequate controls must reduce it. Ask for handling instructions and product safety information before approving samples, and plan how modules will be unpacked, trimmed and installed.

Check the declared fibre composition against the UK REACH Candidate List before resale in Great Britain. Inclusion on that list brings supplier obligations; ask a compliance adviser to assess the actual finished module. Arrange testing and certification support where the supplier's evidence needs checking.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative palletised batch of ceramic fibre modules for a furnace relining contractor 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 length, width, thickness, squareness and fold direction against the approved drawing while retaining the agreed shipping compression.

Density and recovery: check sample mass and dimensions against the agreed compressed density, then check expansion and joint closure using the supplier's installation method.

Anchors: check material records, position, attachment security and access for the installation tool; trial-fit a sample against the lining drawing.

Packing and records: check for wet packaging, torn wrapping, damaged edges and loose fibres; match batch labels to the order and test reports. Include these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

Modules can arrive with the right outer dimensions but insufficient fibre mass or uneven compression. They then recover unevenly during installation and leave open joints. A temperature grade quoted without matching shrinkage evidence can also hide an unsuitable fibre specification.

Misplaced anchors obstruct the installation tool, weak attachments loosen during handling, and damaged wrapping allows contamination or moisture into the fibre. Approve a trial assembly, retain a reference module and agree how compression restraints are removed before shipment.

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.