Sourcing volumetric glass pipettes from China
Volumetric glass pipettes from China carry 0% UK duty across the supplied glass categories. Workplace supply obligations include safe-use information and necessary testing or examination. Specify delivered volume, calibration evidence and protective packing. Cambridge China Bridge sources volumetric glass pipettes.
Duty by glass composition
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 7017 covers laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated. For volumetric pipettes, the tariff subdivision depends on glass composition and thermal expansion, rather than nominal capacity or calibration grade.
Every supplied commodity line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The low-expansion glass code appears twice in the table to distinguish calibration purchasing options; these share a tariff line.
Ask for the glass composition and thermal expansion data before confirming the commodity code. See the glass burettes guide for related glassware within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-expansion glass volumetric pipettes, batch calibration | 7017 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other glass volumetric pipettes | 7017 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Fused quartz or fused silica volumetric pipettes | 7017 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Delivered volume and calibration evidence
Specify nominal capacity, permitted volume error, calibration temperature, delivery convention, drainage procedure and any waiting time. State whether you need individual results linked to each pipette or batch evidence. Agree the calibration method and acceptance criteria before approving the sample.
Specify glass composition, stem dimensions, tip profile and compatibility with your pipette filler. Ask for cleaning and handling instructions. HSE identifies safe-use information and instructions, together with testing or examination necessary for compliance, as part of workplace supply obligations. If the supplier claims a clinical diagnostic purpose, settle that intended use before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 190 individually calibrated volumetric glass pipettes under 7017 20 00 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,700. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,700, so it is £540. 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
Volume: check sampled delivered volumes against the agreed tolerance using the specified temperature, drainage procedure and waiting time.
Markings: check capacity, calibration temperature, delivery convention and identification against the order and calibration records.
Glass and tip: check for cracks, chips, inclusions, distorted stems and uneven tip openings; trial the intended filler.
Packing: check separate protection for stems and tips, carton identification and arrival damage. Agree these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A pipette can look correct while delivering the wrong volume. Different drainage procedures, contamination inside the tube or a damaged tip can undermine the agreed result. A generic calibration sheet also leaves uncertainty when it cannot be linked to the supplied batch or individual pipettes.
Thin stems and exposed tips are vulnerable during transport and unpacking. Inspect the packing before dispatch and separate damaged arrivals before use. Retain the approved sample, calibration records and arrival photographs when discussing replacements.
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 volumetric glass pipettes from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 0% across all heading 7017 glass categories on 25 October 2026, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers borosilicate volumetric pipettes?
Check the manufacturer's thermal expansion data against the low-expansion glass subdivision, 7017 20 00 00. The commercial glass name alone is insufficient to settle the code.
Do I need individual calibration certificates?
Choose individual calibration records or batch evidence according to your laboratory's needs. Specify how results identify the supplied pipettes and the acceptance criteria.
What should I check when glass pipettes arrive?
Check tips and stems for damage, compare markings with calibration records, trial filler compatibility and verify sampled delivered volumes using the agreed procedure.