Sourcing Glass Mirror Tiles from China

Duty on glass mirror tiles

Heading 7009 covers glass mirrors, whether or not framed. Ordinary unframed glass mirror tiles fall under 7009 91 00 90; individually framed versions fall under 7009 92 00 00. The table shows buying variants sharing these tariff lines, rather than separate codes for each edge finish.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, both relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. Neither has a listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or import control in the supplied tariff record. The heading's vehicle-mirror suspension does not concern ordinary mirror tiles.

Confirm the commodity code against the finished product, including any frame or additional function. For other mirror products, see mirrors and LED bathroom mirrors. For cosmetic mirrors, see our magnifying makeup mirror sourcing guide. For two-way mirrors, see our two-way glass mirror sourcing guide. For sheet formats, see our unframed glass mirror sheets guide. For solar applications, see our unmounted solar mirror sourcing guide.

Specify a matching wall of mirror tiles

Agree the tile shape, dimensions, thickness, edge polish or bevel, corner finish and backing with the factory. Approve a sample layout with tiles placed together: uneven bevels, size differences and distorted reflections become more noticeable across a wall than on an isolated sample. For distressed finishes, see sourcing antique mirror glass.

Specify silvering and protective back paint for the intended room. Ask the factory to demonstrate that the proposed adhesive suits the mirror backing and intended surface. If adhesive pads are supplied, approve their position and the fitting instructions alongside the tile.

Consumer products must be safe. Assess sharp edges, breakage and detachment in the intended use. Agree any safety backing film and how its performance will be checked; do not treat a film sample as proof that the installed tile system is safe.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,200 unframed glass mirror tiles; illustrative FOB and freight values under 7009 91 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,200, so it is £1,040. 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 and edges: measure sampled tiles against the approved drawing, compare bevel widths and inspect corners for chips or sharp points.

Reflection and silvering: assemble a sample layout, view a straight-line board in reflection and check for distortion, scratches, pinholes and blackened edges.

Backing and fixing: compare back paint, film and supplied pads with the approved sample; trial the proposed adhesive and fitting method on the intended surface.

Packing and arrival: check separators and corner protection, inspect a packed sample after the agreed handling test, and record cracked tiles and carton damage on arrival.

What goes wrong

Tiles can look acceptable separately but produce a broken-looking reflection when installed together. Uneven dimensions or bevels also leave inconsistent joints. Approve an assembled sample and keep it as the reference for quality inspection.

Poor back paint or damaged silvering can produce black edges in humid rooms. An unsuitable adhesive can damage the backing or fail to hold the tile. Tiles packed without effective separation can arrive scratched or chipped; specify the complete packing arrangement before production.

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.