Sourcing mounted beam splitters from China

Zero duty on mounted beam splitters

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 9002 covers mounted lenses, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements used as parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus. Mounted beam splitters fall within the other mounted optical elements line, 9002 90 00 00.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China and lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for this line. The table shows beam-splitter variants sharing this commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Unmounted optical elements belong to heading 9001. Confirm the commodity code using the assembly drawing, mounting arrangement and intended apparatus. See the camera lenses and optical filters guide for the wider heading.

Specify the split, coating and mount

Specify plate or cube construction, polarising or non-polarising operation, substrate, wavelength band, angle of incidence and the required reflected and transmitted proportions. State acceptable variation across the wavelength band and whether performance must hold for different input polarisations. Agree clear aperture, surface quality, wavefront performance and coating orientation.

Provide a mount drawing showing the optical centre, locating surfaces, thread or fixing arrangement and beam paths. Ask for measurement results from the mounted assembly, since clamping can affect optical performance. Agree cleaning instructions and individual protective packing.

For articles supplied for use at work, the general workplace health and safety law applies where more specific product safety law does not apply. Establish the intended use before sale and ask for handling, installation and cleaning information for the exact assembly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business batch of mounted plate beam splitters under 9002 90 00 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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

Optical split: measure reflected and transmitted light against the agreed wavelength band, incidence angle and input polarisation, using the agreed test method.

Surfaces and coatings: inspect for scratches, chips, haze, coating damage and trapped contamination. Compare coating orientation and measured performance with the approved sample.

Mount and alignment: check locating dimensions, clear aperture, secure retention and optical alignment in the buyer's fixture. Look for clipping or distortion introduced by the mount.

Packing and identity: match assembly markings and inspection records to the ordered variant. Check individual protection, sealed packing and desiccant on arrival.

What goes wrong

A splitter can meet its quoted performance at the supplier's test wavelength yet miss the buyer's operating band. An unspecified incidence angle or input polarisation can also change the split. Require results under the intended operating conditions rather than accepting a generic coating curve.

Reversed coating orientation, mounting stress and poor location can produce ghost reflections, distorted beams or clipping. Dust and scratched coatings add scatter. Check the mounted production sample in the intended fixture and record acceptance criteria before approving manufacture.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.