Signal glass and lamp lenses from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 7014 covers signalling glassware and optical elements of glass (other than those of heading 7015), not optically worked. Both lines, optical elements of glass not optically worked (7014 00 00 10) and other (7014 00 00 90), carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure, no registration and no suspension.

Optically worked lenses are heading 9001 (see our optical lenses and fibres guide), and complete signal heads are covered in our traffic signals guide; confirm the commodity code.

Neighbouring codes to rule out

The code depends on how far the glass is worked and what it is part of. Glass that is optically worked, such as a ground and polished lens, moves to heading 9001; a complete railway signal is heading 8530; and vehicle lamps are heading 8512. The glass-only lines of heading 7014 and the optical elements and railway signalling lines checked were all 0% on goods from China, but a finished signal head is a different product with its own approval, so specify which you are buying.

Use in signals and lamps

Signal lenses and lamp covers are parts of equipment that is approved or specified as a whole, so the buyer's product specification or the network operator's standard sets the colour, transmission and light distribution the glass must achieve. Ask for test reports on the finished lamp or signal head, not only on the glass.

Specifying signal glass

Specify glass type (soda-lime or borosilicate), colour and chromaticity, light transmission, lens optics and pattern, dimensions and tolerance, thermal shock and impact resistance, edge finish, and packing that prevents chipping.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 10,000 moulded glass signal lenses under 7014 00 00 90. At £15,000 free on board and £800 to ship and insure, the customs value is £15,800. With 0% duty on signal lenses, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £15,800, or £3,160. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Optics: check colour and transmission against the approved sample under the same light source.

Dimensions: check diameter, thickness and fit to the housing. For measuring tools, see our tape measures and callipers sourcing guide.

Defects: check for bubbles, stones, cracks, chips and mould marks.

What goes wrong

Signal glass orders fail on colour and breakage. Colour drifts between melts so signals do not match, lenses crack under thermal shock, dimensions do not fit the housing, and edges chip in transit.

Test samples before shipping. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources signal glass and lamp lenses for UK signal, lighting and marine equipment makers, checking the glassworks first. See factory verification.