Sourcing tinted float glass sheets from China

Duty on body-tinted and coated sheets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7005 covers float glass and surface-ground or polished glass in sheets, with or without an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked. This guide focuses on tinted sheets. See the float glass guide for the wider heading.

The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table separates uncoated body-tinted sheets by thickness and includes a tinted sheet with an absorbent or reflecting layer.

Confirm whether the colour runs through the glass or comes from a surface layer, and record its thickness before choosing the commodity code. Toughened or laminated glass belongs to heading 7007 rather than these raw-sheet lines.

Specify the tint, thickness and intended use

State the tint, sheet dimensions, nominal thickness, dimensional tolerances and whether the glass is body-tinted or coated. Agree an approved colour sample at the ordered thickness, viewed under consistent lighting. Request optical performance data where light transmission or solar control matters, and identify the sheets intended for adjacent installation so batches can be matched.

Basic float glass specifications use BS EN 572-2 for thickness tolerances and optical and visual faults. For building use in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant authority which declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking requirements apply, including whether BS EN 572-9 is the relevant route. CE marking remains available for construction products in Great Britain. Match the documents to the supplied product and intended use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative container order of 6 mm body-tinted float glass sheets under 7005 21 80 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £3,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £14,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,200, so it is £2,840. 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

Colour: compare sampled sheets with the approved sample under the same light and at the same thickness; check batch consistency and any coating orientation.

Dimensions and optics: measure thickness and sheet dimensions; inspect bubbles, stones, scratches and optical distortion against the agreed specification and applicable float glass fault criteria.

Edges and surfaces: check for chipped edges, cracks, damp interleaving, stuck sheets and rainbow-like corrosion stains before accepting the delivery.

Packing: inspect racks, restraints, interleaving and moisture protection before loading and on arrival. Solid wood crates and dunnage used for imports into Great Britain must meet the international phytosanitary packaging standard. Include this requirement in the packing specification and arrange pre-shipment inspection.

What goes wrong

A colour name alone leaves room for visibly different batches. Comparing samples of different thicknesses or under different lighting can conceal a mismatch until sheets are installed together. Keep the approved sample, identify production batches and agree how colour differences will be assessed before shipment.

Moisture between sheets causes staining and sticking, while loose racks and poor edge protection cause cracks and chips. Photograph the packing before unloading and record affected sheets against their batch references. Treat tint and glazing safety separately when deciding where the glass will be installed.

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.