Sourcing dichroic coated glass sheets from China

Duty on dichroic coated glass sheets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7005 covers float glass and surface-ground or polished glass in sheets, including sheets with an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked. The supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.

For dichroic sheets, establish the coating function and thickness before choosing a line. The non-reflecting line is a comparison for products genuinely meeting that description, rather than a default for colour-changing glass. Confirm the commodity code using the supplier's technical description. Toughened and laminated safety glass belongs in heading 7007.

For the wider heading, see reflective and solar-control float glass. The worked order is illustrative, rather than a supplier quotation. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT for the calculation.

Specify the colour shift and coating face

State the substrate, sheet dimensions, thickness, dimensional tolerances and intended application. Agree physical reference samples showing the reflected and transmitted colours under agreed lighting, backgrounds and viewing angles. Identify the coated face and how every sheet should be orientated in the finished installation.

Ask the manufacturer to confirm compatibility with the planned cutting, heat treatment, lamination, adhesives and cleaning method. Obtain handling and storage instructions for the actual coating. Approve a processed sample where further processing is planned.

For building use, ask the relevant construction-product authority to confirm whether a declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking documentation are needed for the intended application. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. In England, confirm the applicable glazing safety requirements for doors, low windows and other critical locations with building control before installation.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative crated batch of dichroic coated glass sheets over 4.5 mm under 7005 10 80 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £3,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £14,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,200, so it is £2,840. 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

Colour: compare sampled sheets with the approved physical reference in reflection and transmission under the agreed lighting and viewing angles.

Coating: check the identified coating face for scratches, pinholes, patchiness and variation across the sheet; compare adjacent sheets in their intended orientation.

Dimensions: measure sheet size and thickness against the order; inspect edges for chips and check flatness against the agreed specification.

Packing: check dry interleaving, separation of coated surfaces, crate restraint and batch identification before shipment; photograph damage and moisture when unpacking on arrival.

What goes wrong

A photograph can conceal a mismatch because the lighting, background or viewing angle differs from the installation. Sheets that look acceptable separately may form visible colour bands when installed together. Keep approved samples and agree how replacement sheets will be matched.

Scratched coatings, chipped edges and moisture staining can make sheets unusable. Request packing photographs and record the condition before unloading and during unpacking. A decorative colour effect should not be treated as evidence of safety-glazing performance.

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.