Sourcing glass Erlenmeyer flasks from China

Duty by glass composition

Heading 7017 covers laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether graduated or calibrated. This guide covers laboratory glass Erlenmeyer flasks, also called conical flasks. See the laboratory glassware guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, every commodity line in the supplied heading data carries 0% duty for goods from China. The data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Narrow-neck and wide-neck low-expansion flasks share a commodity code; the table shows them separately as buying options.

Classification depends on the glass composition and, for the low-expansion line, its measured expansion characteristics. Ask for material evidence rather than relying on a borosilicate label. Confirm the commodity code with your customs broker using the material report and intended laboratory use.

Specify the flask, neck and heating conditions

State nominal capacity, overall dimensions, neck opening, rim finish and whether the flask has a plain neck or ground joint. Match the neck to your stopper, closure and cleaning tools. Specify graduation layout, printing durability and any accuracy claim separately. Do not treat a mixing flask's graduations as proof of suitability for accurate volume measurement.

For laboratory supply, suppliers must supply safe work equipment. Translate that into a buying brief: describe the chemicals, heating, cooling and cleaning conditions, then request supporting material and performance reports. Ask the manufacturer to state use limitations, including whether the exact flask is suitable for your proposed heating method or vacuum application.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,400 low-expansion glass Erlenmeyer flasks under 7017 20 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,500, so it is £2,300. 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

Glass and finish: compare the material report and batch identification with the order; inspect the neck, shoulder and base for cracks, chips, inclusions and uneven walls.

Dimensions and fit: measure capacity and dimensions against the agreed specification; check base stability and test the ordered stopper or closure on sampled flasks.

Graduations and performance: check scale position, legibility and printing after the agreed cleaning trial; review evidence supporting heating resistance and any volume accuracy claim.

Packing and arrival: check individual separation and cushioning around necks and bases; record broken or chipped flasks during unpacking. Use the agreed inspection brief to compare shipment and arrival findings.

What goes wrong

A flask can match the catalogue photograph but have the wrong neck opening, an unstable base or a different glass composition. Printing can fade during cleaning, while small rim chips and shoulder cracks can escape a quick carton check. Approve a physical sample with the actual closure and cleaning process before bulk production.

Breakage disputes are harder to resolve when the packing specification says only 'export carton'. Agree internal separation, cushioning, carton identification and how damage will be recorded. Keep suspect flasks separate while the supplier investigates; ask for replacement packing trials where damage repeats.

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.