Sourcing mullite refractory bricks from China

Zero duty on mullite refractory 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 made from siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. Mullite refractory bricks should be checked against the other alumina or silica line, 6902 20 99 00. The table repeats this line for different brick forms, rather than suggesting separate shape-based codes.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure, and no suspension. It attaches an import waste control, alongside waste export control and a cultural-object export licence entry. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For reclaimed bricks or refractory scrap from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirement before shipment; also confirm the export entries if arranging a subsequent export.

Give your broker the chemical analysis, product description and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For other refractory materials, see refractory bricks and blocks. Zero duty does not remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the mullite grade and lining duty

State whether the bricks are dense lining bricks or insulating bricks, their intended position in the kiln or furnace, and whether they face repeated heating and cooling. Specify alumina and silica composition, declared mullite content, bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, refractoriness under load and permanent dimensional change on heating. Ask the supplier to identify the test method supporting its mullite-content claim.

Attach drawings for straight, wedge, arch and special shapes. Agree dimensions, tolerances, allowable warpage, edge damage and the joint arrangement. Request batch results against the agreed data sheet and retain an approved sample. A maximum temperature claim alone does not show how a brick performs under load or during thermal cycling.

For sale as a construction product in Great Britain, check the intended use and applicable conformity route with your adviser. Official guidance says CE marking remains available for construction products in Great Britain. Establish the route for the actual product before requesting labels; do not select it from the tariff heading alone.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative container order of mullite refractory bricks, not a quotation under 6902 20 99 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: match the batch identification to the chemical analysis and the agreed mullite-content evidence.

Performance: compare sampled-brick density, porosity, crushing strength, refractoriness under load and heating shrinkage with the agreed data sheet and test methods.

Geometry: measure dimensions and warpage against the drawings; check wedges and arch bricks together for fit, and inspect faces, edges and corners for cracks or damage.

Packing: inspect pallet stability, wrapping, corner protection and dryness on arrival; photograph damage before unloading and keep batch labels with the inspection record.

What goes wrong

A mullite label can hide a mismatch between the ordered grade and the delivered material. Lower alumina than agreed, excessive porosity or inadequate firing can leave bricks that soften under load or shrink during heat-up. Poor resistance to thermal cycling can cause spalling. Compare batch tests with the specification before installing the lining.

Incorrect wedge angles, warped faces and chipped edges prevent the planned joint fit. Mixing dense and insulating grades can also defeat the lining design. Keep rejected batches separate and resolve the discrepancy before installation. Ask the installer to assess and control dust when cutting or grinding silica-containing refractory material.

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.