Sourcing unframed glass mirror sheets from China
Unframed glass mirror sheets from China carry 0% UK duty across the ordinary sheet variants covered here, with no listed trade remedy. Sheets intended or foreseeably likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain must be safe under general product safety rules. Cambridge China Bridge sources unframed glass mirror sheets.
Duty on unframed glass mirror sheets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7009 covers glass mirrors, whether framed or unframed, including rear-view mirrors. This guide covers ordinary unframed glass mirror sheets supplied for cutting or cut to size, without lighting or heating.
Other unframed glass mirrors under 7009 91 00 90 carry 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. The table repeats this code for different sheet specifications; these are product variants rather than separate tariff lines.
Confirm the commodity code using the reflecting material, framing and intended use. The specialised automotive lines within the unframed branch describe different goods. See the wider mirror guide for framed and illuminated mirrors.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unframed glass mirror sheets for cutting | 7009 91 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the sheet, silvering and edges
State whether the factory supplies stock sheets for further cutting or finished pieces ready to fit. Agree glass thickness, dimensions, dimensional tolerances, squareness, flatness and acceptable reflection quality. For finished pieces, send drawings showing polished or bevelled edges, corners, holes and cut-outs. Approve a physical sample alongside the drawing.
Specify the reflective coating, protective back paint and any safety backing film. For humid rooms, ask for copper-free silvering and back paint suited to that environment. Give the factory the proposed adhesive and mounting arrangement, and ask it to confirm compatibility with the backing. Assess a sample assembly before approving production. For distressed finishes, see sourcing antique mirror glass.
For sheets intended or foreseeably likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, general product safety rules apply and the product must be safe. Assess breakage, exposed edges and the proposed mounting. For large or wall-hung finished mirrors, ask for safety backing and fitting instructions, then check the backing's performance rather than relying on its appearance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 120 cut-to-size unframed glass mirror sheets under 7009 91 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,200, so it is £1,040. 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
Dimensions and edges: measure thickness and cut dimensions against the drawing; check squareness, hole positions, corner finishing, chips and sharp exposed edges.
Reflection and coating: view a straight-line pattern from the agreed distance and angle; check distortion, scratches, pinholes, black spots and edge corrosion against the approved sample.
Backing and fitting: check back-paint coverage, film adhesion and damage around cut-outs; assess the agreed mounting assembly and inspect the supporting evidence for safety-backing performance.
Packing and arrival: check face separators, corner protection and restraint inside the crate; inspect arriving packs for movement, moisture and impact damage, and photograph defects before discarding the packaging.
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What goes wrong
A sheet can meet its overall dimensions yet distort reflections or have chips hidden beneath edge protection. Poor silvering or damaged back paint can produce black spots and edge corrosion in humid rooms. Agree viewing conditions and defect acceptance criteria before production, then compare production sheets with the approved sample.
Unsupported corners and movement inside crates cause breakage, while unsuitable adhesive can damage the backing after installation. Approve the packing and sample mounting arrangement before shipment. Use quality inspection to check the actual sheets and packing against those approvals.
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 unframed mirror sheets from China?
Ordinary unframed glass mirror sheets under 7009 91 00 90 carry 0% duty. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line.
Can I order mirror sheets cut to size?
Specify finished dimensions, tolerances, edge finish, corners, holes and cut-outs on a drawing. Approve a sample and confirm whether the delivered sheets need further processing before fitting.
Do unframed mirror sheets need safety backing?
For large or wall-hung finished mirrors, ask for safety backing and evidence of its performance when the glass breaks. Assess it together with the intended mounting and use.
How do I check mirror sheets when they arrive?
Inspect crate damage and sheet movement, then check edges, dimensions, reflections, coating and backing. Photograph damage and retain the packing until the condition of the shipment is recorded.