Sourcing edge-worked glass tabletops from China

Duty and classification for glass tabletops

Heading 7006 covers glass of headings 7003, 7004 or 7005 that is bent, edge-worked, engraved, drilled, enamelled or otherwise worked, but not framed or fitted with other materials. This guide concerns separately supplied annealed glass tabletops. The tabletop variants in the table share commodity code 7006 00 90 00.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 October 2026, both heading lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The relevant tabletop line is the other worked glass line, rather than optical glass.

Toughened and laminated glass belongs under heading 7007; glass fitted in frames or with other materials is classified by the finished article. Confirm the commodity code from the processing and condition at import. See the wider glass shelves and worked glass guide.

Specify the tabletop and its supports

Specify annealed glass explicitly, together with clear, low-iron or tinted glass, thickness and tolerances, overall shape, corner profile, edge finish, bevel width and any holes or cut-outs. Supply a drawing showing the supporting frame, contact pads, unsupported areas and intended use. Agree a sample and a test brief for the tabletop on those supports.

In Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 cover products intended for, or foreseeably used by, consumers. Importers and sellers of consumer products are responsible for their safety. Annealed glass breaks into sharp pieces; furniture where people could impact the glass usually needs toughened or laminated safety glass instead. Settle suitability before ordering and use the safety glass guide when changing the specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 50 flat-polished annealed glass tabletops under 7006 00 90 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,900, so it is £980. 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

Shape and fit: measure thickness, outline, corners and hole positions against the approved drawing; trial-fit a sample on the intended table base without forcing it.

Edges and surfaces: check the whole perimeter, including bevel transitions and drilled holes, for sharp areas, chips and shell-shaped defects. Inspect scratches, bubbles and distortion under agreed viewing conditions.

Supports and performance: check contact pads, overhang and rocking on the intended base. Compare the test report with the actual glass specification and support arrangement.

Packing and arrival: check separators, edge protection and bracing, then record broken or chipped pieces during unpacking. For solid wood crates, check legible ISPM15 marks; marked compliant wood packaging does not need separate phytosanitary or treatment certificates.

What goes wrong

A polished edge can conceal chips, and a bevel can leave a sharp transition at a corner. Incorrect outlines or hole positions encourage installers to force the glass into place. A tabletop that looks sound on a display stand may rock or bear unevenly on the buyer's base. Do not accept appearance checks as evidence of suitability for the intended use.

Breakage also follows movement inside crates or contact between unprotected edges. Inspect edge work, trial-fit samples and review packing before shipment; photograph arrival damage before disposing of the packaging. Use an agreed inspection brief so the factory and inspector check the same drawing and sample.

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.