Sourcing moulded-glass kerbstones from China

UK duty and kerbstone classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7016 covers pressed or moulded glass articles used in building or construction, alongside mosaic glass, leaded lights and foam glass. This guide concerns moulded-glass kerbstones. See the glass paving blocks guide for the wider product family.

The supplied snapshot records 0% duty for goods from China on every line, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or import controls. The table shows purchasing forms against the residual other-articles line, subject to classification confirmation. The separate blocks-and-bricks line is 7016 90 40 00.

Confirm the commodity code using drawings, photographs, material composition and intended use. Ask your broker to distinguish a shaped kerbstone from a building block or brick before declaring it under 7016 90 70 00.

Specify the kerb profile and outdoor use

Specify the cross-section, exposed height, bedding face, edge radius, joint arrangement and finish. Provide drawings for straight lengths, curves, corners and end pieces. Agree dimensional tolerances and approve a joined sample run. State whether the kerbstones are decorative landscape edging or intended to resist vehicle contact.

Ask for test evidence matching the ordered glass, profile and installation method for impact, strength and outdoor durability. Where people may step on the exposed surface, agree how wet slip resistance will be assessed. Review frost exposure, drainage, bedding and adhesive compatibility with the project designer.

For Great Britain, establish whether a designated standard or technical assessment covers the actual product and intended use. Products within scope need conformity assessment and performance documentation; UKCA marking or a compliant CE route is available. Have the supplier identify its route and supporting documents before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 190 moulded-glass kerbstones for a landscaping order, illustrative only under 7016 90 70 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,500, so it is £2,300. 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

Profile and fit: measure the agreed dimensions, check bedding-face flatness and assemble adjoining pieces to check alignment, curves and joint gaps.

Glass and finish: inspect for cracks, chipped arrises, inclusions and sharp edges; compare colour, translucency and texture with the approved sample.

Evidence and identity: match supplied pieces and batch references to the drawings, test reports and any applicable performance declaration and marking.

Packing and arrival: check separators, protected corners and restraint against movement. Solid wood packaging used for imports into Great Britain must meet ISPM15. On arrival, photograph damaged packs and separate cracked pieces before installation.

What goes wrong

Different profiles or uneven bedding faces leave a wandering kerb line. Colour differences become obvious across adjoining pieces, while chipped edges can be hidden by wrapping. Approve a sample assembly and include unpacked checks in the inspection brief.

A decorative sample can be mistaken for a kerbstone suitable for vehicle impact or repeated frost exposure. Ask for evidence for the proposed use and installed arrangement. A conformity mark does not itself establish suitability for a particular use. Agree protective packing and record arrival damage before laying the kerbs.

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.