Sourcing Magnesia Refractory Bricks from China

Duty and classification for magnesia bricks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 6902 covers refractory ceramic bricks, blocks, tiles and similar constructional goods, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths. Magnesia bricks fall within 6902 10 00 00 when magnesium, calcium or chromium, singly or together and expressed as their specified oxides, exceed 50% by weight. The table shows brick forms sharing this commodity line.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. It attaches an import control for waste. For waste imports under notification controls, the exporter applies for consent in the dispatch country; shipment requires consent from the authorities involved. For a Chinese consignment classified as waste, confirm the applicable procedure with your customs broker. The other listed controls concern exports.

Confirm the commodity code using the chemical analysis and product form, rather than the supplier's grade name alone. Refractory mortars and castables belong to heading 3816. See the silica refractory bricks guide for another family within the wider heading, and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.

Specify the magnesia grade and furnace conditions

Specify magnesia content, other constituents, brick shape, dimensions and tolerances. Describe the furnace duty, operating temperature, load and heating cycle. Agree acceptance values for bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, refractoriness under load and permanent dimensional change on heating. Ask for batch results against the agreed data sheet.

Agree dry, sealed packing, corner protection and pallet identification. Magnesia bricks can hydrate and crack in damp storage. Order shapes that minimise site cutting; where installation creates hazardous construction dust, employers must protect workers against its risks.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative container order of magnesia refractory bricks, not a quotation under 6902 10 00 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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

Composition: compare batch chemical analysis with the ordered magnesia grade and the tariff composition threshold.

Performance: compare density, porosity, cold crushing strength and refractoriness under load with the agreed acceptance values; arrange independent sample testing where needed.

Shape and condition: measure dimensions and warpage against the drawing; inspect edges, corners and faces for chips and cracks.

Packing and traceability: check sealed wrapping, corner protection, dry pallets and batch identification before dispatch and on arrival. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

Damp packing or storage allows magnesia bricks to hydrate and crack before installation. Poor dimensional consistency leaves uneven joints, while chipped corners reduce usable stock. Keep affected pallets separate and record their condition before unpacking.

Bricks may match the advertised composition yet fail under load or repeated heating. Check performance results as well as chemistry, and trial the proposed grade under the intended furnace conditions before committing to repeat orders.

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.