Sourcing Glass Burettes from China
Glass burettes from China carry 0% UK duty across the supplied tariff lines. For workplace supply, suppliers must address safety, necessary testing and safe-use information so far as reasonably practicable. Specify delivered-volume accuracy and stopcock performance before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources glass burettes.
Glass burette duty and classification
Heading 7017 covers laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated. Glass burettes fall within this family. Classification depends on the glass material, rather than simply the stopcock design. The table separates stopcock options within the same material code; these are buying variants, not separate tariff lines.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Zero customs duty does not remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.
Obtain the glass composition and thermal-expansion data before confirming the commodity code. Do not choose the low-expansion line solely because a quotation says borosilicate. For other products within this heading, see sourcing laboratory glassware.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass-stopcock burettes, glass meeting the tariff expansion criterion | 7017 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Burettes of fused quartz or other fused silica | 7017 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Burettes of other glass | 7017 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Delivered volume, stopcocks and safe use
Specify capacity, graduation interval, permitted delivered-volume error, reference temperature, drainage procedure and any waiting period. Agree how accuracy will be checked and whether calibration evidence covers individual burettes or sampled batches. Specify glass composition, stopcock material, tip shape, clamp fit and compatibility with the intended reagents and cleaning method.
For workplace articles where more specific product safety law does not apply, suppliers have a general safety obligation so far as reasonably practicable. This includes necessary testing or examination and information and instructions for safe use. Ask the factory for evidence supporting safe handling, cleaning and maintenance, alongside its calibration results.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of glass burettes for a laboratory supplier under 7017 20 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,400, so it is £2,280. 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
Accuracy: check sampled delivered volumes against the agreed procedure and tolerance; match calibration records to the supplied products.
Stopcock and tip: check closed-valve leakage, smooth adjustment, controlled delivery and bubbles trapped around the outlet.
Glass and markings: inspect for cracks, chipped tips and damaged stopcock seats; check readable graduations, units and agreed identification.
Packing: check that tips and stopcock assemblies cannot strike the carton or neighbouring glass. Repeat visual and functional checks on arrival. Agree the sampling and reporting scope through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A clear scale can hide inaccurate delivery. A leaking stopcock changes the amount delivered between readings, while an outlet bubble can disrupt dispensing. Tight or poorly fitted stopcocks make endpoint control difficult. Treat the approved sample as a reference for both measurement and handling, and check production against it.
Packing that supports the tube but leaves the tip exposed can produce chipped outlets. Keep damaged items apart from usable stock, photograph the packaging and defects, and compare arrival findings with the pre-shipment report before agreeing replacements.
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 burettes from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% across the glass burette material lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Import VAT is separate.
Which commodity code applies to borosilicate burettes?
Use 7017 20 00 00 only when the glass meets its thermal-expansion criterion. Obtain material data rather than relying on the word borosilicate.
What should a burette calibration report show?
Ask for product identification, test conditions, the delivery procedure, measured errors and comparison with your agreed tolerance. Agree whether the report covers each item or a sampled batch.
How do I check glass burettes when they arrive?
Inspect tips and glass for damage, check markings and stopcock operation, test for leakage and verify sampled delivered volumes against the agreed procedure.