Sourcing graphite crucibles from China

UK duty on graphite crucibles

Heading 6815 includes graphite or other carbon articles for non-electrical uses. For solid graphite crucibles within this category, the relevant supplied line is 6815 19 00 00. The table shows different crucible forms sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The file lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line.

Ask your customs broker to confirm the composition and use against the commodity code guide. Do not assume a clay-bonded or other refractory mixture has the same classification as solid graphite. See the wider carbon fibre and graphite guide for the rest of the heading.

Specify the graphite and melting application

State whether the crucible is machined solid graphite or a bonded mixture. Request the material grade, composition, density, porosity and ash information. For contamination-sensitive work, agree which impurities the supplier must report and how the material will be tested.

Provide a drawing showing the internal cavity, wall and base thickness, rim, pouring lip and seating surface. Name the metal or material being heated, furnace type, atmosphere, operating temperature and heating cycle. Ask the supplier to confirm suitability for that application rather than relying on a nominal capacity.

For workplace supply, provide safe-use information and instructions, together with testing or examination necessary for compliance. Obtain product-specific guidance on storage, drying, preheating, handling and retirement from service. Agree sample acceptance before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of machined graphite laboratory crucibles, not a quotation under 6815 19 00 00, invoiced at £1,800 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,600, so it is £720. 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

Material: check the batch identification and material report against the agreed graphite grade and impurity specification.

Dimensions: check the cavity, wall, base, rim and seating surface against the drawing, including fit with the intended handling tools.

Condition: examine the inside and outside for cracks, chipped rims, damaged pouring lips and loose surface material. Keep damaged pieces separate.

Packing: check for wet cartons, inadequate cushioning and contact damage between crucibles. Record arrival defects using the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A crucible can match the catalogue shape but have the wrong material, wall thickness or seating profile. Potential failures include cracking during heating, rim damage during handling and contamination of the melt. Treat a change of graphite grade, binder or coating as a change requiring review.

Wet packing needs investigation before use. HSE warns that water contamination of molten metal can cause explosions. Keep affected stock separate and follow the supplier's application-specific drying and preheating instructions before accepting it for service.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.