Sourcing polished wired glass sheets from China

Duty on polished wired glass sheets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7005 covers float glass and surface-ground or polished glass in sheets, whether or not carrying an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked. Its wired-glass line is 7005 30 00 00. See the float glass guide for the wider heading.

The supplied tariff snapshot records 0% duty for goods from China on this wired-glass line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The table describes buying variants of the same commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Import VAT is normally 20%.

Confirm the commodity code using the supplier's manufacturing description, surface finish and details of any further working. Do not classify a product solely from the sales term 'wired glass'.

Specify the polished surfaces and embedded mesh

Specify sheet dimensions, thickness and agreed tolerances, polished surface finish, wire material, mesh pattern, mesh spacing and alignment. Agree acceptable bubbles, scratches, distortion and visible mesh irregularities against an approved sample. Ask the factory to describe how it produces and finishes the sheets.

For building use, obtain the declaration of performance and applicable CE or UKCA marking documents before ordering. CE marking continues to be recognised for construction products in Great Britain. For glazing in doors, low windows and other critical locations, confirm the applicable glazing safety requirements with the relevant building control authority before installation.

For proposed fire-resistant glazing, ask for performance evidence covering the exact glass and intended glazing arrangement. Have the project designer check it before accepting a fire-performance claim. Use testing and certification support when the supplier's documents do not clearly identify the offered product.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A crated shipment of polished wired glass sheets for a glazing business, illustrative under 7005 30 00 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £3,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £14,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,200, so it is £2,840. 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

Dimensions: measure sampled sheets for thickness, length, width and squareness against the order and agreed tolerances.

Mesh: compare pattern, spacing and alignment with the approved sample; inspect for displaced wires, local mesh distortion and visible corrosion.

Surfaces and edges: inspect both polished faces for scratches, bubbles, staining and optical distortion; check edges for chips and cracks.

Packing and identity: check dry interleaving, edge protection, crate restraint and batch labels before loading; photograph damaged crates and sheets on arrival. Include these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A sample can have straight, even mesh while the shipment contains displaced wires or uneven mesh near the edges. Polished faces may show scratches or distortion that were hidden in factory photographs. Agree viewing conditions and acceptance criteria before production, then compare shipment samples with the approved sheet.

Damp stacks can stain or stick together, while loose restraints cause edge damage and breakage. Another purchasing failure is accepting a generic fire or safety report without checking that it covers the offered glass and proposed use. Settle documentary gaps before shipment.

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.