Sourcing lab round-bottom flasks from China
Laboratory round-bottom flasks from China carry 0% UK duty across the supplied heading 7017 lines. Suppliers must supply safe work equipment; ask for glass composition, joint drawings and evidence for the intended heating or vacuum use. Cambridge China Bridge sources laboratory round-bottom flasks.
Duty and glass classification
Heading 7017 covers laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated. Round-bottom flasks are classified by glass composition and expansion characteristics. Different neck layouts can share a commodity code; repeated codes in the table show purchasing variants.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.
Obtain the manufacturer's glass composition and expansion data before confirming the commodity code. Do not classify solely from a supplier's borosilicate label. For the wider heading, see the glass Erlenmeyer flask guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fused quartz or fused silica round-bottom flasks | 7017 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Single-neck round-bottom flasks meeting the low-expansion glass criterion | 7017 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Round-bottom flasks of other glass | 7017 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Glass, neck joints and operating conditions
Specify nominal capacity, glass composition, body diameter, wall thickness, neck layout and joint dimensions on an agreed drawing. Identify the condenser, adapter, stopper, heating mantle and support arrangement the flask must fit. For angled necks, specify orientation and clearance for probes and stirrers.
State the intended chemicals, heating method, temperature changes and any vacuum use. Ask for test evidence covering the ordered design and the manufacturer's operating limits. Treat heating, vacuum and positive-pressure suitability as separate questions; a round shape alone is insufficient evidence.
Suppliers must supply safe work equipment. HSE guidance also identifies safe-use information and instructions, including revisions, and necessary testing or examination as part of workplace product supply obligations. Request instructions addressing the intended heating, cooling, cleaning and support arrangement.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6,000 laboratory round-bottom flasks under 7017 20 00 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,400, so it is £4,680. 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 condition: examine the body, neck transitions and ground joints for cracks, chips, scratches, inclusions and uneven walls; segregate suspect pieces on arrival.
Dimensions and fit: compare capacity, body dimensions, neck orientation and joint dimensions with the approved drawing; trial-fit the intended mating glassware without forcing it.
Use evidence: match material records, test reports and operating instructions to the ordered flask design; arrange any heating or vacuum evaluation through a competent laboratory.
Packing and identification: check individual separation, neck protection, carton damage and batch identification. Record unpacking damage and use the inspection guide to agree checks before shipment.
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What goes wrong
A flask may resemble the approved sample but have joints that bind or leak, neck angles that obstruct accessories, or a body that does not fit the heating mantle. Agree drawings and mating samples before production, then check bulk goods against them.
Thin areas, scratches and chipped joints can make heating or vacuum use unsafe. Transit breakage may remain hidden beneath protective wrapping. Unpack samples from different cartons, photograph damage and hold suspect stock for assessment before use.
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 round-bottom flasks from China?
The supplied heading 7017 lines all carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code applies to borosilicate round-bottom flasks?
Use 7017 20 00 00 only when the glass meets that line's expansion criterion. Obtain composition and expansion data; the borosilicate name alone does not establish classification.
Can imported round-bottom flasks be used under vacuum?
Ask for the manufacturer's operating limits and test evidence for the exact design. Inspect for damage and have suitability assessed for your apparatus before vacuum use.
How do I avoid buying flasks with incompatible joints?
Agree joint dimensions and neck orientation on drawings, provide mating samples and trial-fit production samples with the intended condensers, adapters and stoppers.