Sourcing vehicle rear-view mirrors from China

Duty and vehicle mirror classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, heading 7009 covers glass mirrors, including rear-view mirrors for vehicles. This guide covers vehicle mirrors and the listed specialist components. See the wider mirror guide for household and bathroom mirrors. For inspection tools, see our glass inspection mirror sourcing guide.

All vehicle rear-view mirror lines shown carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. Under 7009 10 00 90, a specified electrochromic interior mirror for motor vehicle manufacture also has a 0% suspension subject to authorised-use customs supervision.

Match the complete tariff description, including whether the mirror is unfinished and whether its specified use is vehicle manufacture. Do not choose a specialist manufacturing line merely because a replacement mirror has similar features. Confirm the commodity code using the product drawings, construction and intended use.

Vehicle fitment, curvature and functions

Specify the vehicle make, model, production variant, right-hand-drive application and mounting position. State whether you need a complete assembly, replacement glass or an unfinished component. Agree the glass outline, flat or curved surface, backing plate, attachment clips, mounting footprint and adjustment range against an approved sample. If also sourcing side windows, see our toughened vehicle side window sourcing guide. If also sourcing wheel fasteners, see our wheel nut sourcing guide. For UK-to-China trade, see our guide to exporting vehicle glass to China.

For heated or auto-dimming mirrors, agree the electrical connections, connector pin arrangement, heater operation and dimming response. Include folding, blind-spot display and housing finish where fitted. Ask for test reports and any approval documentation for the exact mirror variant, and have the intended road-use application reviewed before committing to production.

Government guidance says each fitted mirror must remain steady under normal driving conditions. The vehicle inspection manual requires mandatory mirrors to provide an adequate rearward view from the driver’s seat. Check the sample on the intended vehicle rather than judging compatibility from its outline alone.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,200 replacement vehicle rear-view mirrors; values are illustrative under 7009 10 00 90, invoiced at £36,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £40,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £40,000, so it is £8,000. 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

Fitment: compare the part identification, mounting footprint, clips and backing plate with the approved sample; trial-fit the mirror and check adjustment travel and retention.

Optics: inspect reflected straight lines, edge damage, coating defects and the boundary between differently curved areas; check the rearward view from the intended driving position.

Functions: operate adjustment, folding, heating, dimming and any blind-spot display using the agreed connections; check for intermittent operation and loose terminals.

Packing: check that glass faces cannot rub, connectors are protected and assemblies cannot move inside the carton; inspect arrival samples for cracked glass and broken mounting tabs.

What goes wrong

A mirror can fit the door but still have the wrong curvature, adjustment range or mounting angle for the intended driving position. A similar-looking backing plate may have different clips, while a matching connector housing can conceal a different pin arrangement. Keep approved samples and drawings for each variant.

Loose pivots can let the mirror move or vibrate, while damaged coatings, weak glass-to-backing adhesion and poor packing can cause returns. Agree how to check retention, heating and dimming before production, then repeat those checks on arrival. Use quality inspection planning to record the agreed 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.