Sourcing glass coverslips from China

Duty depends on the glass material

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, heading 7017 covers laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated. This guide concerns microscope coverslips. See the laboratory glassware guide for the wider heading.

The supplied tariff data records 0% duty for goods from China on every listed line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. The table separates round and rectangular other-glass coverslips under the same code; these are product forms, not separate tariff lines.

Obtain the glass composition and thermal expansion data before confirming the commodity code. Do not choose the low-expansion line solely because a supplier calls the glass borosilicate. Import VAT is separate from duty; see the duty and VAT guide.

Specify thickness and intended use

Specify shape, dimensions, thickness range, flatness, glass composition and compatibility with the microscope objective and mounting medium. State whether the coverslips are plain or surface-treated, the required cleanliness and the pack quantity. Approve samples using the buyer's actual imaging method.

General laboratory products are not in vitro diagnostic devices unless their characteristics and manufacturer’s intended purpose meet the human diagnostic examination definition. For diagnostic coverslips, confirm the regulatory category before ordering. Where medical device rules apply in Great Britain, registration with the medicines regulator is required before sale, overseas manufacturers must appoint a UK responsible person, and applicable marking and conformity assessment requirements must be met.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 100,000 glass microscope coverslips, illustrative order under 7017 90 00 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £190 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,590. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,590, so it is £518. 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: measure sampled coverslips against the agreed drawing and thickness range, using a method suitable for fragile glass.

Optical quality: check scratches, haze, bubbles and contamination under the intended microscope and compare images with the approved sample.

Edges and separation: check chipped corners, cracks and whether coverslips lift individually without sticking or breaking.

Packing and identity: check inner boxes, cushioning, moisture protection, quantity and batch identity against the order. Record arrival damage through the inspection process.

What goes wrong

Thickness variation can spoil images even when the coverslip looks clear. Dust, fingerprints and surface residues can obscure the specimen or interfere with mounting. Chipped edges and tightly packed stacks cause breakage during handling. Compare samples from delivered stock with the approved sample before releasing the batch.

A generic laboratory description can hide a mismatch with diagnostic use. Ask for the manufacturer's intended purpose in writing and compare it with the packaging and sales description. Resolve that mismatch before accepting diagnostic stock.

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.