Sourcing silicon carbide bricks from China

Duty and classification for silicon carbide bricks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6902 covers refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods, excluding those made from siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. Silicon carbide refractory bricks fall within the other-refractories line, 6902 90 00 00, subject to checking their full composition. The table shows brick forms sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied record lists 0% duty for goods from China on every line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension recorded. It attaches an import waste control: confirm its application with your customs broker, especially for spent bricks. For waste imported into England under notification controls, the exporter must seek consent from the authority in the country of dispatch. The record also lists export waste controls and cultural-object export licensing; confirm these separately if exporting.

Send the chemical analysis, bond description, drawing and intended use to your broker to confirm the commodity code. Silicon carbide content alone is not a complete classification brief. For the wider heading and alumina-based alternatives, see high-alumina refractory bricks. See UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.

Specify the silicon carbide content and bond

Specify the silicon carbide content, complete chemical composition and bond type, such as oxide or nitride bonding. Attach drawings for straight, wedge and special shapes, including tolerances and joint faces. Describe the furnace atmosphere, heating cycle, contact materials and operating load so the factory can propose a grade for your application.

Agree batch acceptance values for bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, dimensional change on heating and thermal shock performance. Ask for the test methods and sample identification alongside the results. A maximum-temperature statement alone does not describe performance under load or repeated heating.

For building applications, ask a compliance adviser to check the relevant designated standard and any technical assessment before agreeing product markings. Construction products not covered, or not fully covered, by a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative container order of silicon carbide refractory bricks for a kiln relining under 6902 90 00 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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

Composition and bond: compare batch analysis and the declared bond with the approved specification; retain identified samples for independent checks.

Dimensions and surfaces: measure joint faces, wedge angles and warpage against drawings; inspect for cracks, chipped corners and damaged edges.

Performance: compare batch density, porosity and strength results with agreed values; arrange heating and thermal shock tests for the intended service cycle. See quality inspection.

Packing and traceability: check separation, cushioning, pallet stability and batch labels before dispatch and on arrival. Solid wood packaging used for imports into Great Britain must meet ISPM15 international standards.

What goes wrong

Accepting a different bond or composition without review can leave the lining unsuitable for its atmosphere and contact materials. Poor thermal shock performance causes spalling during cycling; dimensional variation opens joints, while hidden cracks and transit damage reduce usable stock. Keep grade approval, batch results and inspection records connected.

Agree the installation and initial heating instructions with the furnace designer before ordering. Ask the installer to assess cutting dust from the actual composition rather than treating every silicon carbide brick as pure material. Keep spent bricks separate from orders for new stock and resolve any waste-control questions 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.