Sourcing ceramic fibre paper from China

Duty and classification for ceramic fibre paper

Heading 6806 covers mineral wools and other mineral heat- or sound-insulating materials and articles. For finished refractory ceramic fibre paper, 6806 90 00 00 is a provisional candidate, not a paper-specific tariff line. The table shows different supply forms against that same candidate code. See the ceramic fibre boards guide for related products within the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines under heading 6806 carried 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension was recorded. The candidate paper line carries import and export waste controls. For waste imports into England under notification controls, the Chinese exporter must apply to its competent authority for consent. Confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker.

Give your broker the fibre composition, binder details, manufacturing process, supply form and intended use before confirming the commodity code. Do not classify the product from its trade name alone. The FOB value and freight in the worked example are illustrative; see UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.

Specify fibre composition, binder and heat shrinkage

State whether you need rolls, sheets or cut shapes, then agree thickness, width, length, density and dimensional tolerances. Ask for the fibre chemistry and binder composition rather than accepting a generic ceramic-paper description. Separate the supplier's temperature classification from your intended continuous operating conditions.

Agree how heat shrinkage, binder burn-off, flexibility and tearing will be assessed using samples of the supplied grade. Ask for test conditions and reports linked to that grade. Check whether binder burn-off affects your process or assembly.

Employers must adequately control exposure to materials that cause ill health at work. HSE identifies skin, eye and upper-airway irritation from refractory ceramic fibres. Obtain the supplier's safety information and agree handling arrangements before trial cutting or unpacking.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of paper rolls for an industrial insulation supplier 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

Dimensions: check thickness across the sheet or roll, usable width, length and cut-shape fit against the order.

Condition: check for tears, pinholes, creases, crushed edges, damp packaging and layers that separate during handling.

Performance: compare flexibility and cutting behaviour with the approved sample; check heat-shrinkage and binder test reports against the supplied grade.

Traceability: match batch labels, fibre and binder declarations, safety information and reports to the delivered goods. Agree sampling through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

Paper can meet its nominal thickness yet tear during gasket cutting or crumble around fixing holes. Uneven binder distribution can change handling behaviour, while excessive shrinkage can open gaps after heating. Agree acceptance criteria for the actual assembly rather than relying on a temperature claim.

A supplier may substitute a different fibre or binder while retaining the same product name. Treat changes as requiring fresh sample approval and document checks. Keep damaged or unidentified rolls separate while you resolve their grade and condition.

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.