Sourcing picture-frame glass blanks from China

Duty on edge-worked glass blanks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 October 2026, heading 7006 covers worked glass that is not framed or fitted with other materials. Ordinary edge-worked picture-frame glass blanks fall within the other worked glass line, 7006 00 90 00. The table shows specification variants sharing this commodity line.

The supplied facts show 0% duty on both heading lines for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls listed. Optical glass is a separate line; ordinary picture-frame glazing should not be described as optical glass merely because it is clear.

Confirm the commodity code from the glass and its processing. Plain float glass belongs under heading 7005, while toughened and laminated safety glass belong under heading 7007. For other applications, see the wider worked-glass guide.

Specify the blank and its fit in the frame

Specify clear or low-iron glass, thickness, finished dimensions, tolerances, squareness and the intended frame rebate. Describe the edge finish explicitly: arrised, flat polished or bevelled. Agree corner treatment and, for bevelled blanks, the bevel width and remaining edge thickness. Approve a sample fitted into the actual frame with the intended backing and retaining clips.

Set acceptance criteria for scratches, bubbles, distortion and visible edge chips against an approved sample. Agree separators, corner protection and bracing so blanks cannot rub or move in transit.

In Great Britain, general product safety rules cover products intended for, or reasonably likely to be used by, consumers. Such products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. For picture-frame glazing, review handling hazards and how the glass is retained in the finished frame.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 edge-worked picture-frame glass blanks for a framing business; illustrative order under 7006 00 90 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,500, so it is £5,300. 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 and fit: measure finished size, thickness and squareness; fit sampled blanks into the intended frame without forcing them.

Edges and corners: check the agreed finish for sharp remnants, chips and shell-shaped fractures; compare bevels with the approved sample.

Viewing quality: inspect scratches, bubbles and distortion under agreed lighting and viewing conditions, with an image behind the glass.

Packing and arrival: check separators, corner protection and bracing; record broken pieces and carton damage before moving stock. Use a written inspection brief.

What goes wrong

Blanks can match the nominal frame size yet fail to fit because the rebate allowance was never agreed. Inconsistent edge work leaves sharp areas or visible chips, while glass rubbing against adjacent pieces creates scratches. Bevels may differ between batches and become conspicuous when frames are displayed together.

Use the actual frame and backing to approve fit, keep the accepted edge sample available to inspectors, and check packing before dispatch. On arrival, separate damaged blanks and record defects by batch before assembly.

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.