Sourcing mounted Fresnel lenses from China
Mounted Fresnel lenses from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 9002 lines. Classification depends on the assembly's optical function, not simply its grooved surface. Consumer-use products must meet applicable safety requirements. Cambridge China Bridge sources mounted Fresnel lenses.
Duty and classification
Heading 9002 covers mounted optical elements used as parts of or fittings for instruments or apparatus. For a mounted Fresnel condenser, the other mounted optical elements line is a classification candidate. Objective lens lines apply only where the assembly performs that function. The table shows alternatives, not interchangeable codes; the dimensional lens-unit line also requires the specified material and dimensions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all listed lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Unmounted optical elements fall under heading 9001, as explained in the site's wider optics guidance.
Give your customs broker the assembly drawing, material, mounting details and intended optical function to confirm the commodity code. See camera lenses and optical filters for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other mounted optical elements, including Fresnel condensers | 9002 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other objective lenses, where the Fresnel assembly functions as an objective | 9002 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other camera or projector objective lenses, where applicable | 9002 11 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Glass or plastic objective lens units meeting the specified dimensional limits | 9002 11 00 50 | 0% | None |
Specify the Fresnel profile and mounting
Specify whether the lens concentrates light, collimates a source or forms an image. Agree the material grade, focal length, clear aperture, groove profile and pitch, grooved-face orientation, usable wavelength range and acceptable optical defects. Describe the source and working distance used for acceptance testing rather than accepting a focal-length claim alone.
Specify frame material, fixing-hole positions, locating surfaces, lens retention and permitted distortion after mounting. For use near a lamp, agree the operating conditions and test the assembled lens for warping and focus drift. Retain an approved mounted sample and an agreed test arrangement.
For consumer-use products in Great Britain, general product safety rules apply where relevant, including foreseeable consumer use. Importers within their scope must ensure the product is safe before placing it on the market. Assess concentrated-light and hot-surface risks, and provide relevant precautions for risks that are not immediately obvious.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of mounted Fresnel condensers for a laboratory equipment business under 9002 90 00 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £1,500 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
Grooves and surfaces: inspect for incomplete grooves, moulding marks, scratches, haze and trapped contamination against the approved sample.
Optical performance: check focal position, beam pattern or image performance in the agreed arrangement, with the lens installed in its production frame.
Mounting: check locating dimensions, fixing alignment, retention and flatness; confirm that tightening the mount does not distort the lens.
Packing and information: check protective separation, frame protection and orientation identification. For consumer-use products within the general safety rules, check relevant risk information and, where reasonable, producer name, address and product or batch reference on the product or packaging.
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What goes wrong
A sample tested loose can perform differently after the frame clamps or bends it. Reversed groove orientation, a substituted material or a changed moulding profile can shift focus or alter the beam. Agree acceptance using the assembled product and the buyer's intended source.
Groove faces can be scratched by packing that rubs during transport, while pressure from stacked frames can distort the lens. Specify separation and support around the frame, and compare arrival samples with the retained sample before releasing the batch.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on mounted Fresnel lenses from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty across the relevant heading 9002 lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the line from the assembly's function and specification.
Which commodity code covers a mounted Fresnel condenser?
9002 90 00 00 is a candidate for other mounted optical elements. Objective lens lines depend on the actual function; a Fresnel surface alone does not decide the code.
What should I put in a Fresnel lens specification?
State the material, focal length, clear aperture, groove profile, face orientation, source, working distance and frame drawing. Agree an acceptance test on the mounted assembly.
How do I check mounted Fresnel lenses on arrival?
Inspect groove damage and haze, check frame fit and lens retention, then test focal position and beam or image performance using the agreed source and mounting arrangement.