Sourcing unmarked glass clock blanks from China

Duty on unmarked glass clock-face blanks

Heading 7006 covers glass of headings 7003, 7004 or 7005 that is bent, edge-worked, engraved, drilled, enamelled or otherwise worked, without frames or other fitted materials. This guide concerns unmarked, annealed clock-face blanks with worked edges or drilled holes. Toughened and laminated glass belongs under heading 7007.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, both lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. The table shows product variants sharing the other worked-glass line, 7006 00 90 00; they are not separate tariff subdivisions.

Confirm the commodity code using the glass type, processing, markings and condition at import. Send your broker the drawing and photographs, particularly if the factory adds a frame, fittings or dial markings. For other products within this heading, see glass shelves and worked glass.

Specify the blank around the clock movement

Specify the outline, diameter or side dimensions, thickness and tolerances, glass colour, flatness and edge finish. For drilled blanks, define the spindle-hole diameter and position from the drawing datum, with the required hole-edge finish. State that the faces must arrive without numerals, hour marks or logos.

Approve a sample with the actual movement, washers and fixing nut. Check spindle reach through the glass, washer seating and clearance for the hands. If you will print the dial locally, trial your ink and cleaning process on the approved glass surface before ordering production.

The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply in Great Britain to products intended for, or foreseeably used by, consumers. Confirm the applicable safety obligations with Trading Standards. Annealed glass can break into sharp pieces, so assess exposed edges, mounting and breakage in the intended clock assembly. Agree protective separators and support that prevents blanks moving inside their packaging.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 edge-polished unmarked glass clock-face blanks, illustrative order under 7006 00 90 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,500, so it is £5,300. 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

Outline and hole: measure dimensions, thickness and hole position against the approved drawing; trial the intended spindle and washers.

Edges: inspect the perimeter and drilled hole for sharp areas, chips, shells and cracks; compare polishing and bevels with the approved sample.

Faces: check for scratches, bubbles, distortion and unwanted markings under agreed lighting; trial local printing on a sample if relevant.

Packing and arrival: check separators, edge protection and restraint; photograph damaged packs and record cracked or chipped blanks before assembly.

What goes wrong

An off-centre hole makes the finished clock look misaligned. Excess thickness leaves too little spindle available for the fixing nut, while chipped hole edges can crack during tightening. Scratches become more visible after dial printing. Compare production blanks with the approved assembly sample.

Blanks can rub together or strike the carton walls when separators and restraint are inadequate. Ask for packing photographs and inspect the packed shipment before dispatch. Use the quality inspection guide to turn the drawing, sample and packing agreement into inspection checks.

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.