Sourcing silver mesh from China

Silver mesh duty and classification

Heading 7106 covers silver, including silver plated with gold or platinum, in unwrought, semi-manufactured or powder form. For mesh supplied as material for further processing, confirm whether 7106 92 00 00 applies. The table shows supply forms sharing that line, subject to classification confirmation. For the wider wire material, see silver wire sourcing.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions listed. The semi-manufactured line has no attached controls. The powder line carries waste import and export controls. If importing waste from China into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker.

Give your broker the alloy composition, weave construction, supply form, intended use and manufacturing stage. Do not assume silver-plated base-metal mesh has the same classification. Confirm the code through finding your commodity code.

Specify silver content, aperture and weave

Specify solid silver or silver alloy, the complete composition, wire diameter, clear aperture, weave pattern and tolerances. State roll or sheet dimensions, edge condition, temper, surface cleanliness and net metal weight. Define whether joins, repairs or coatings are acceptable. Approve a sample using the intended cutting, forming or mounting operation.

Official hallmarking guidance lists raw material as exempt from compulsory hallmarking. Keep the supply description clear that the mesh is raw material; assess finished articles separately before sale. UK REACH generally applies to substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. Review the actual alloy and any coating against the requirements relevant to the intended use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 cut sheets of silver mesh, dimensions and net weight agreed separately; illustrative only under 7106 92 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,300, so it is £6,060. 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: match batch identification to the material report and independently check silver content on production samples.

Geometry: measure clear openings and wire diameter across the mesh; check weave consistency, sheet dimensions and skew against the approved sample.

Condition: inspect for broken wires, enlarged openings, loose edges, repairs, creases, tarnish and processing residues.

Weight and handling: reconcile net metal weight separately from packaging and trial cutting and mounting. Record batch results through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A mesh count alone does not define the clear opening: changing wire diameter changes the aperture. Plated base-metal mesh can resemble solid silver mesh, while a surface-only composition check may miss the core. Agree a testing method that distinguishes the material throughout the wire.

Loose weaving, broken wires and handling creases can create uneven openings or prevent flat mounting. Excessively hard wire may crack during forming; soft mesh may distort during cutting. Approve packaging that supports sheets or rolls, retain a batch sample and keep suspect material separate until checks are complete.

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.