Sourcing ceramic catalyst carriers from China
Uncoated ceramic honeycomb catalyst carriers from China attract 0% to 4% UK duty, depending on classification and suspension eligibility. Match the ceramic composition, volume and channel design to the tariff description before claiming relief. Cambridge China Bridge sources uncoated ceramic honeycomb catalyst carriers.
Duty and classification of uncoated carriers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6909 covers laboratory, chemical and other technical ceramics alongside certain ceramic containers. This guide concerns uncoated honeycomb catalyst carriers. For other products, see technical and laboratory ceramics.
The supplied tariff lines show 4% duty for Chinese goods, with 0% suspensions on the listed cordierite or mullite, silicon carbide and silicon, and aluminium and titanium oxide supports. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is listed. Match every material, volume, hardness and channel condition. The suspension footnote excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these products. The suspension under the residual line concerns specified ceramic-carbon cartridges, not a general exemption for honeycomb carriers.
The tariff attaches an import waste control, plus export waste and cultural-object licence controls. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste. For carriers from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the waste-control requirement, especially for used or discarded stock; confirm the attached export controls before any return shipment. Provide composition, drawings, volume and intended use when checking the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porous cordierite or mullite catalyst supports | 6909 19 00 30 | 4% | None |
| Silicon carbide and silicon catalyst supports with end-closed channels | 6909 19 00 60 | 4% | None |
| Aluminium and titanium oxide ceramic catalyst or filter supports | 6909 19 00 70 | 4% | None |
| Other technical ceramics, potentially including other uncoated carriers | 6909 19 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the honeycomb body and channel design
State explicitly that the carrier is uncoated, with no washcoat or active catalyst. Specify ceramic composition, external dimensions, tolerances, cell density, wall thickness, porosity, channel openings and any plugging pattern. Agree strength, pressure-drop and thermal-shock tests against the intended coating and operating process.
Ask for batch composition results and traceability to the approved sample. Assess chemical compliance separately from tariff classification: REACH restrictions can limit, ban or condition the placing on the market or use of substances. Obtain a material declaration and check applicable restrictions before supplying the carrier in Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of uncoated ceramic honeycomb carriers outside the specific support lines under 6909 19 00 90, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 4% is £700. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,200, so it is £3,640. Import taxes total £4,340; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £700 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body: check end faces and outer skin for cracks, chips, distortion and evidence of an unwanted coating.
Channels: inspect for blocked passages, broken walls and incorrect plugs; compare the channel pattern with the drawing.
Properties: compare batch composition, porosity and strength results with the agreed specification; trial samples through the intended coating process.
Packing: check individual separation, face protection and cushioning; on arrival, photograph damage and retain batch labels. Use an agreed inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
Thin channel walls break during handling, end-face chips obstruct passages, and hidden cracks open during heating. Changes in porosity can alter washcoat uptake, while an incorrect plugging pattern changes flow. Agree acceptance criteria before production and compare arrival samples with the approved batch.
A supplier's description of a carrier as duty-free is insufficient for classification. A different ceramic blend or channel arrangement can miss the listed suspension description. Resolve discrepancies between the material declaration, drawing and invoice before shipping.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on uncoated ceramic honeycomb carriers from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 4% duty, reduced to 0% for carriers matching the listed support suspensions. The residual technical-ceramics line is normally 4% for these carriers.
Are uncoated carriers the same as finished catalysts?
An uncoated carrier is the ceramic substrate. Specify the absence of washcoat and active catalyst, and assess any later coated product separately.
What should I test before ordering a production batch?
Check composition, dimensions, channel pattern, porosity, strength and thermal-shock behaviour. Trial the sample in your coating and operating process.
Does the tariff waste control cover new carriers?
Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. Ask your broker to confirm the tariff-control declaration for new carriers and the requirements for any used or discarded stock.