Sourcing mica sheet and mica tape from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 6814 covers worked mica and articles of mica, including agglomerated or reconstituted mica, whether or not on a support of paper, paperboard or other materials. All 4 lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure and no tariff suspension.

Plates, sheets and strip of agglomerated mica have separate codes for thin mica paper on rolls up to 0.15 mm and for a listed phlogopite mica tape bonded to glass fabric; both are 0% like the other lines. Unworked mica and mica powder are heading 2525, so confirm the commodity code.

Insulation standards

Mica-based insulating materials are specified under the IEC 60371 series, which sets requirements for mica paper, rigid and flexible sheet, and tapes by type and binder. Dielectric strength is tested to IEC 60243-1.

Mica itself is not a regulated consumer product, but the heaters, toasters, hair dryers or motors it goes into must meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, so the mica's temperature class and dielectric performance feed into the finished product's safety file.

Specifying mica

Specify mica type (muscovite or phlogopite), form (paper, rigid or flexible sheet, tape, cut part), binder (silicone, epoxy or other) and content, thickness and tolerance, maximum continuous operating temperature, dielectric strength, dimensions and tolerances for cut parts, and packing to keep sheets flat and dry.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 2 tonnes of rigid mica sheet for heater elements under 6814 10 00 90. At £18,000 free on board and £900 to ship and insure, the customs value is £18,900. With 0% duty on mica sheet, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £18,900, or £3,780. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Electrical: test dielectric breakdown voltage on sampled sheets to IEC 60243-1 and check it meets the grade.

Thermal and physical: check thickness, flatness and density, and heat a sample to the stated operating temperature to check for delamination, smoke or binder loss.

Cut parts: measure punched shapes and holes against the drawing and check edges for cracking and flaking.

What goes wrong

Mica orders fail on binder, thickness and heat performance. Binder burns off below the stated temperature, sheets delaminate in heaters, thickness varies across the sheet, and cut parts crack at holes.

Heat-test samples and check dielectric strength before shipping. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources mica sheet, tape and cut parts for UK heater and motor makers, checking the laminator's test equipment first. See factory verification.