Sourcing refractory castables and mortars from China
Refractory cements, mortars, castables, ramming mixes and similar compositions from China, used to line furnaces, kilns, boilers and pizza ovens, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 3816, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers check alumina content, service temperature, water demand, strength after firing and shelf life, because castables absorb moisture in storage.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 3816 covers refractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions, including dolomite ramming mix, other than products of heading 3801. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The dolomite ramming mix line also carries the waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration for new material.
Shaped refractory bricks and blocks are covered in our refractory bricks guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolomite ramming mix | 3816 00 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other refractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions | 3816 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying castables and mortars
Specify the type (conventional, low-cement or insulating castable, mortar, ramming or gunning mix), maximum service temperature, alumina and silica content, bulk density, cold crushing strength after firing, water addition, setting time, and shelf life with storage conditions. Ask for the technical data sheet and a safety data sheet, since refractory products containing crystalline silica or ceramic fibre need safe handling information.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10 tonnes of high-alumina refractory castable in 25 kg bags under 3816 00 90 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £1,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,600, so it is £1,720. 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
Data: check the certificate of analysis against the technical data sheet for each batch.
Trial: cast and fire a test piece to check strength and shrinkage for a new supplier.
Packing: check moisture-proof bags, pallet wrapping and production dates. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Refractory orders fail on composition, age and packing. Alumina content is lower than the grade, material near the end of its shelf life arrives after a long voyage, and damp bags set in the bag.
Cambridge China Bridge sources refractories for UK furnace builders and oven makers with batch data agreed before shipment; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on refractory castable from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, refractory cements, mortars and castables under heading 3816 carried 0% from China.
What should a castable specification include?
Type, maximum service temperature, alumina content, density, strength after firing, water addition, setting time and shelf life.
Why does shelf life matter?
Castables absorb moisture in storage and lose strength, so check production dates on arrival.
Are refractory bricks in heading 3816?
No. Shaped refractory bricks and blocks are chapter 69.