Sourcing laboratory glass desiccators from China
Laboratory glass desiccators from China carry 0% UK duty across the glass categories in heading 7017. For workplace supply, provide safe-use instructions and the testing or examination needed for compliance. Confirm glass composition and vacuum suitability before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources laboratory glass desiccators.
Duty by glass composition
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 7017 covers laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated. This guide focuses on laboratory glass desiccators. See the laboratory glassware guide for the wider heading.
All listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table separates vacuum and non-vacuum designs within the same low-expansion glass line; these are not separate tariff lines.
Confirm the commodity code using the glass composition and documented expansion characteristics. A supplier's description of glass as borosilicate does not by itself establish the tariff classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-vacuum glass desiccators meeting the low-expansion criterion | 7017 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Fused quartz or fused silica laboratory desiccators | 7017 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Laboratory desiccators of other glass | 7017 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the chamber, lid and vacuum use
Specify glass composition, usable chamber dimensions, clearance above the sample plate, plate material and perforations, and the desiccant compartment. State whether the design uses a ground-glass joint or a gasket. Agree replacement lids, plates, seals and stopcocks against the approved sample.
Separate ordinary drying use from vacuum use. For a vacuum model, ask for the manufacturer's permitted operating conditions, model-specific test evidence, hose connection details and instructions for evacuation and venting. For workplace supply, the safety obligation includes safe-use information, subsequent revisions and testing or examination necessary for compliance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of laboratory glass desiccators for a laboratory supplier under 7017 20 00 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £320 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,720. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,720, so it is £544. 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: inspect the chamber, rim, lid and stopcock neck for cracks, chips and visible defects; compare dimensions with the approved drawing.
Lid and plate: check lid seating, gasket fit or ground-joint contact, plate stability and usable sample clearance.
Vacuum assembly: match the stopcock and hose connection to the specification; have competent personnel assess sealing using the manufacturer's documented method and operating conditions.
Packing: check that lids and accessories cannot strike the chamber in transit; inspect cushioning and record arrival damage. Use the inspection guide to define the agreed checks.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A poorly matched lid or damaged sealing surface can prevent a vacuum model from holding its specified conditions. An unsuitable plate can rock or leave insufficient space for samples. Loose lids and stopcocks can chip the chamber during transport.
Do not accept a generic vacuum claim without evidence for the supplied model. Quarantine cracked or chipped glass, record the affected batch and ask the supplier to investigate before accepting replacements.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on glass desiccators from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty across heading 7017, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Classification depends on the glass composition and expansion characteristics.
Can an ordinary glass desiccator be used under vacuum?
Do not assume so. Order a model explicitly specified for vacuum use and obtain its operating conditions, model-specific test evidence and evacuation and venting instructions.
What documents should a laboratory supplier request?
Request the glass specification, approved drawing, model-specific test evidence and safe-use instructions. Workplace supply obligations include safety information updates and testing or examination needed for compliance.
What should I check when glass desiccators arrive?
Check the chamber and lid for cracks and chips, lid seating, plate stability, accessories and packing damage. Assess vacuum sealing against the manufacturer's documented method.