Sourcing woven glass fibre tapes from China
Woven glass fibre tapes from China normally pay 6% UK duty; the selected lines range from 0% to 6% because specified fabric has conditional relief. Match the weave and treatment to the commodity code, and check REACH restrictions for coating substances. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven glass fibre tapes.
Duty depends on the fabric construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7019 covers glass fibres and their articles, including woven fabrics. The selected tape lines have a normal duty of 6% for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. The table gives candidate fabric descriptions; confirm which matches the actual tape.
The specified silane-treated fabric under 7019 65 00 70 has a 0% suspension for exclusive use in manufacturing prepregs and copper clad laminates, subject to its full specification and authorised-use customs supervision. Goods declared to authorised use remain under supervision until the procedure is discharged. This relief does not cover ordinary tape merely because it has a silane treatment.
The tariff attaches supplementary-unit requirements to 7019 65 00 70 and 7019 69 90 84, and waste import and export controls to 7019 69 90 84. Complete the supplementary-unit field where required and ask your broker to confirm the unit. If importing waste from China under notification controls, obtain the relevant authorities’ consent before shipment; confirm the applicable waste requirements with your broker. Confirm the commodity code using weave, width and treatment. See the high silica glass fibre cloth guide for related fabrics within the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other open woven glass fibre tapes, width not exceeding 30 cm | 7019 65 00 85 | 6% | None |
| Closed woven continuous-filament roving tapes, not impregnated | 7019 61 00 84 | 6% | None |
| Other continuous-filament glass fibre woven tapes, not impregnated | 7019 69 90 84 | 6% | None |
| Specified silane-treated glass fabric tapes for prepregs and copper clad laminates | 7019 65 00 70 | 6% | None |
Specify the weave, edges and treatment
Specify glass type, yarn or roving construction, weave, width, thickness, fabric weight and roll length. State whether the edges are woven selvedges or cut from wider cloth, whether joins are acceptable, and how rolls should be wound. Keep an approved sample showing the required edge finish.
For reinforcement, agree sizing compatibility with your resin and test wet-out on a sample. For wrapping applications, agree flexibility and handling behaviour. Request reports supporting any claimed heat or electrical performance for the finished tape, including its coating.
Ask for coating and sizing composition, handling advice and evidence addressing relevant REACH restrictions. REACH restrictions can limit, prohibit or set conditions on substances placed on the market or used. Agree any application testing through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of open woven tape rolls for a business workshop under 7019 65 00 85, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 6% is £690. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,190, so it is £2,438. Import taxes total £3,128; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £690 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure sampled roll width, thickness and unwound length against the purchase specification; check winding tension and core condition.
Weave and edges: inspect for missing yarns, uneven openings, fraying, loose selvedges and undisclosed joins.
Treatment: compare fabric weight and coating appearance with the approved sample; trial resin wet-out where the tape is reinforcement.
Packing and traceability: match roll labels to batch records, inspect for damp or contamination, and check wrapping protects the edges. Use a written inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
Cut strips may arrive with fraying edges when the buyer expected woven selvedges. Loose winding hides damaged edges and joins, while uneven sizing can leave reinforcement slow to wet out. Confirm edge construction and treatment on the approved sample, then compare production rolls with it.
A claimed temperature capability may describe the glass fibre rather than the coated tape. Obtain evidence for the finished construction and its intended application. Keep wet or contaminated rolls separate on arrival while you assess their condition.
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 woven glass fibre tapes from China?
The selected ordinary fabric lines pay 6%. Specified silane-treated fabric has conditional 0% relief under authorised use. The supplied tariff snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on these lines.
Are woven glass fibre tapes always adhesive?
No. Specify whether you need uncoated fabric, a coating or adhesive backing. Ask the broker to classify the finished construction rather than relying on the supplier’s tape description.
How do I stop glass fibre tape edges fraying?
Specify woven selvedges or an agreed cut-edge finish, approve a sample, and inspect production edges after unwinding. Do not accept cut strips as a substitute without checking their handling behaviour.
What should I check before using tape with resin?
Confirm the sizing suits your resin, compare fabric weight and weave with the approved sample, and trial wet-out before committing the batch to production.