Sourcing ceramic foam foundry filters from China
Ceramic foam foundry filters entered under heading 6909 carry a baseline UK duty of 4% from China; narrowly defined products have 0% suspensions. Confirm the classification and suspension wording rather than relying on the word filter, and validate samples with your molten metal. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceramic foam foundry filters.
4% baseline duty, with narrowly defined suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6909 covers laboratory, chemical and other technical ceramic wares, alongside specified agricultural and packing receptacles. This guide concerns ceramic foam filters for molten metal. The table repeats the other technical ceramics code for different materials as classification candidates. Hardness-based classification needs supporting evidence. For the wider heading, see technical and laboratory ceramics.
The listed baseline duty from China is 4%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded in the supplied tariff facts. Some products have 0% suspensions, but the suspension under 6909 19 00 90 describes ceramic-carbon absorption cartridges, and that under 6909 12 00 00 describes specified spherical alumina balls. Neither description establishes relief for foam foundry filters. Confirm the commodity code, including whether the product belongs among refractory ceramics, before ordering.
The tariff attaches waste import controls. Confirm the requirement with your customs broker if importing discarded or contaminated filters from China. For waste entering England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in the dispatch country for consent. Agree the applicable procedure before shipment. The supplied tariff also lists waste export controls and a cultural-object export licence measure; these are export entries.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alumina ceramic foam foundry filters, subject to classification | 6909 19 00 90 | 4% | None |
| Technical ceramic filters with verified Mohs hardness of 9 or more | 6909 12 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the metal, pore structure and filter seat
Specify the molten metal and alloy, pouring temperature, casting weight, flow conditions and filter position. Agree the ceramic composition, pore grade and measurement method, open porosity, dimensions, thickness, edge profile and seating arrangement. Ask for batch evidence of strength and thermal shock performance, with test conditions stated. A material name alone does not establish suitability for your casting process.
Approve samples through a controlled foundry trial, recording metal flow, filter integrity and casting cleanliness. Ask for handling, storage and any preheating instructions. For UK workplace supply, establish which product safety obligations apply before selling: HSE places responsibility for legal compliance on suppliers. Use factory verification to check the maker's process and batch testing capability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 1,000 ceramic foam foundry filters under 6909 19 00 90, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 4% is £700. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,200, so it is £3,640. Import taxes total £4,340; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £700 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material: match batch identification and composition results to the approved specification; investigate any unapproved formulation change.
Pores and body: compare pore structure with the approved sample; check for blocked passages, cracks, broken ceramic struts and loose fragments.
Fit: measure thickness, overall dimensions and edge profile against the drawing; check seating without forcing or crushing the filter.
Packing: check separation, cushioning and dry cartons; inspect for transport breakage and ceramic debris before releasing filters to production.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Blocked or uneven pores can restrict flow. Cracked struts and loose ceramic fragments can introduce inclusions instead of removing them. A filter that fits poorly can allow metal to bypass its edges, while an unsuitable ceramic body can fail during pouring. Visual inspection alone cannot establish performance in molten metal.
Keep the approved sample, batch results and foundry trial record together. Separate damaged stock and investigate a failed trial before accepting the remaining batch. Agree what counts as unacceptable breakage, pore blockage and dimensional variation before production. See quality inspection explained.
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 ceramic foam foundry filters from China?
For filters correctly classified under 6909, the baseline duty is 4%. Listed suspensions are product-specific and do not establish general duty-free treatment for foam foundry filters.
Which ceramic material should I specify for a foundry filter?
Specify your alloy and pouring conditions first. Ask the supplier to support its proposed alumina, silicon carbide or zirconia formulation with batch results and a controlled foundry trial.
Does a ceramic filter qualify for a duty suspension?
Only if it matches the applicable suspension description. A porous foam filter is not automatically a listed filter support, absorption cartridge or spherical alumina ball.
What should I check when the filters arrive?
Check batch identity, dimensions, seating edges, pore blockage, cracks, broken struts and loose fragments. Inspect packing damage and keep damaged filters out of production.