Sourcing glass lamp envelopes and tubes from China
Open glass envelopes from China, the bulbs and tubes that lamp and lighting makers fit with filaments, LEDs or electrodes, pay 0% UK duty on all three lines of heading 7011, with no anti-dumping duty. Lamp makers buy on glass type, wall thickness, dimensional tolerances, clarity or coating and breakage-proof packing.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 October 2026, heading 7011 covers glass envelopes (including bulbs and tubes), open, and glass parts thereof, without fittings, for electric lamps and light sources, cathode-ray tubes or the like. All three lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Finished lamps and LED bulbs are chapter 85, covered in our LED bulbs guide, and signal glass and lamp lenses in our signal glass guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass envelopes for electric lighting | 7011 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Glass envelopes for cathode-ray tubes | 7011 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other glass envelopes | 7011 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Where the rules apply
The open envelope is a component, so the product rules apply to the finished lamp: its maker must meet the electrical safety, EMC and ecodesign requirements for the lamp it sells. Our electrical goods guide sets those out. For the envelope itself, the specification and breakage are what matter.
Specifying envelopes
Specify the shape and size designation, glass type (soda-lime or borosilicate), wall thickness, neck and flare dimensions with tolerances, clear, frosted or coated finish, annealing, and packing in cells or trays with the breakage allowance agreed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50,000 clear glass bulb envelopes for filament lamps under 7011 10 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,900, so it is £1,380. 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: gauge neck diameter, length and wall thickness on samples against the drawing, because the lamp line depends on them.
Glass: check for stones, seeds, cords and stress under polarised light, and the frosting or coating evenness.
Packing: check cell or tray packing and do a drop test on a packed carton. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Envelope orders fail on dimensions, stress and breakage. Neck sizes drift so envelopes do not fit the lamp line, poorly annealed glass cracks when sealed, and cartons without cells arrive with a large share broken.
Cambridge China Bridge sources glass envelopes and tubes for UK lamp and lighting makers, with dimensions and packing agreed before production. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on glass lamp envelopes from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 October 2026, all three lines of heading 7011 carried 0% from China.
Are glass bulbs for lamps classified as lamps?
No. Open glass envelopes without fittings are heading 7011; finished lamps are chapter 85.
Which rules apply to the glass envelope?
Product rules apply to the finished lamp; for the envelope, specify dimensions, glass type and packing.
Why do envelopes crack after sealing?
Usually poor annealing leaving stress in the glass; check under polarised light before shipment.