Sourcing germanium infrared lenses from China

0% duty on unmounted germanium lenses

Heading 9001 covers unmounted optical elements of any material, alongside optical fibres, polarising materials and eyewear lenses. Unmounted germanium infrared lenses belong in the other optical elements line, 9001 90 00 90. The table shows lens variants sharing that tariff line.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied tariff snapshot records 0% duty for this line on goods from China. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control for the line.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, drawing and whether the lens is supplied unmounted. Recheck classification if the supplier adds a housing or supplies a complete optical assembly. See the glass aspheric lens guide for wider heading context.

Specify the germanium substrate and infrared coating

Specify germanium material grade, lens profile, diameter, centre thickness, clear aperture, edge bevel and orientation. Give the optical drawing with agreed tolerances for surface form, centration and focal length. State the working wavelength band, operating temperature and intended equipment so the factory can propose a matching coating and test method.

For the coating, agree transmission across the working band, residual reflection, surface durability and cleaning method. Request batch-linked material and optical test reports. A visible photograph cannot establish infrared transmission. Agree which measurements cover individual lenses and which rely on batch samples.

Ask for substrate and coating composition information for UK REACH checks. When supplying an article to a business in Great Britain, a Candidate List substance above 0.1% by weight triggers a duty to provide safe-use information, including the substance name.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of unmounted germanium infrared lenses for a small optical equipment business under 9001 90 00 90, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,800, so it is £2,160. 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

Identity: match the drawing revision, material record, coating description and batch identification to the order.

Geometry: measure diameter, centre thickness and edge bevel; check surface profile and centration against the drawing.

Optics: compare measured focal length, surface form and infrared transmission with the agreed specification and test conditions.

Condition: inspect for chips, scratches, coating patches and contamination; check that individual packing prevents contact with optical surfaces. Arrange the measurements through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A lens can match the diameter yet fail because its surface profile, centration or focal length differs from the drawing. A coating report taken outside the intended infrared band does not demonstrate the performance you ordered. Edge chips, rubbing in transit and cleaning damage can also make an otherwise acceptable lens unusable.

Approve a measured sample before production and agree the response to failed batches. Keep rejected lenses separate while investigating. Require written approval for changes to substrate, coating or polishing subcontractor, and compare arrival measurements with the factory's batch reports.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.