Sourcing ceramic fibre boards from China

Duty and classification for fibre boards

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6806 covers mineral insulating materials and their articles. Refractory ceramic fibre boards are candidates for the other-articles line, 6806 90 00 00, subject to confirmation of their composition and manufacture. The table shows board variants against that same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff data records 0% duty for goods from China throughout this heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. The board candidate line carries import and export waste controls. The UK Trade Tariff attaches these controls; confirm their application to the actual goods with your customs broker. Where notification controls apply, waste cannot be shipped until the destination, dispatch and transit authorities have consented.

Give your broker the fibre composition, binder details, manufacturing process and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For the wider product family, see refractory ceramic fibre blankets.

Specify the fibre, binder and thermal behaviour

Write down the fibre composition, binder and any surface treatment. Agree board dimensions, thickness tolerances, density, flatness, edge finish and machining drawings. Specify the intended furnace or kiln duty, including operating conditions and whether the board forms a hot face or backing layer.

Ask for thermal conductivity and shrinkage reports that identify the supplied formulation and test conditions. Agree how binder burnout and initial heating will be handled. Compare the approved sample with production boards, rather than accepting a temperature rating alone.

HSE advises avoiding inhalation of ceramic fibre dust and skin contact. Workplace exposure to materials that cause ill health must be adequately controlled. Ask for safety information covering unpacking, cutting and installation before agreeing the handling method.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative palletised order of refractory ceramic fibre boards under 6806 90 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,000, so it is £3,200. 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

Identity: check batch labels, fibre composition, binder and surface treatment against the purchase specification and approved sample.

Dimensions: check thickness, flatness, squareness, hole positions and edge profiles against the agreed drawings.

Condition: check for cracks, crushed corners, delamination, moisture and excessive loose material inside the packaging.

Evidence: check that thermal reports identify the supplied board formulation and that handling information accompanies the shipment. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A board can fit the drawing but fail in service because its formulation or binder differs from the approved sample. Unsupported temperature claims leave shrinkage and thermal performance unresolved. Agree acceptance evidence for the actual formulation before releasing production.

Weak edge protection leaves boards cracked or chipped on arrival. Moisture and rough handling can spoil otherwise acceptable stock. Photograph packaging and damage before unpacking further, retain batch identities and separate suspect boards pending inspection.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.