Sourcing glass blasting beads from China
Glass blasting beads from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 7018 lines, with no anti-dumping duty recorded. Chemical importers are responsible for hazard classification; hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need safety data sheets. Cambridge China Bridge sources glass blasting beads.
Zero duty, with classification checked by form
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7018 covers glass beads and smallwares, including glass microspheres not exceeding 1 mm in diameter. The selected lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded.
Other lines in this heading carry cat and dog fur controls. Imports of that fur and products made from it are banned; this concerns fur-containing goods rather than loose glass blasting media. Keep the product description clear and ask your customs broker to check any control attached to the final code.
The table gives classification candidates, not interchangeable codes. Supply composition, diameter distribution, solid or hollow construction and manufacturing details to confirm the commodity code. Solid microspheres have their own size-specific line. See the wider glass beads guide and the explanation of import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid glass microspheres not exceeding 1 mm | 7018 20 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other glass beads, excluding hand-made beads | 7018 10 19 90 | 0% | None |
| Other glass smallwares not exceeding 2 mm, coated or uncoated | 7018 10 90 10 | 0% | None |
| Other glass smallwares outside the preceding size-specific line | 7018 10 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify bead size, roundness and blast finish
Specify solid spherical glass blasting media, the particle size distribution and sieve method, acceptable broken or angular particles, fines, moisture and glass composition. State whether surface treatments are permitted. Agree a retained sample and trial the beads on the intended workpiece using the buyer's equipment, comparing finish, cleaning action and bead breakdown.
Importers supplying chemicals are responsible for hazard classification. If the product is hazardous and supplied for workplace use, a safety data sheet is required. Ask for composition and safety information for the actual grade and any coating. Employers must adequately control exposure to workplace materials that cause ill health; consider dust from the beads and the surface being blasted.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of solid glass blasting microspheres under 7018 20 00 10, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,000, so it is £600. 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
Size and shape: sieve samples from different bags and inspect roundness, broken beads and angular fragments against the agreed specification.
Cleanliness and moisture: check for fines, foreign particles, damp clumps and inconsistent flow through the agreed feeding equipment.
Blast performance: compare the delivered batch with the retained sample on matching workpieces, checking finish, contamination and breakdown under the same operating conditions.
Packing and records: check bag seals, net weight, grade and batch identification against the order, and match composition and safety documents to the delivered material. Arrange quality inspection before shipment.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A matching grade name can hide a different size distribution. Excess fines, angular fragments or weak beads can change the finish and increase breakdown. Moisture can cause clumping and erratic feeding; contamination can mark the workpiece. Check measured results and a blast trial rather than accepting a supplier's grade name alone.
A sample trial can miss variation between bags or production batches. Retain approved and delivered samples, record the trial conditions and agree how departures from the specification will be handled before ordering.
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 glass blasting beads from China?
The relevant heading 7018 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm the code for the actual beads.
Which commodity code covers solid glass blasting microspheres?
7018 20 00 10 describes solid glass microspheres not exceeding 1 mm in diameter. Have your broker check the product's size distribution and construction before using it.
Do glass blasting beads need a safety data sheet?
A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for workplace use. Ask for composition and safety information for the actual grade rather than assuming every glass bead product is identical.
How do I check whether Chinese glass beads suit my blasting cabinet?
Agree particle size and roundness, then trial the sample in your cabinet on the intended workpiece. Compare finish, feeding, fines and breakdown, and repeat the checks on the delivered batch.