Sourcing zircon refractory bricks from China
Zircon refractory bricks from China carry 0% UK duty across heading 6902, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the code from the full composition, and supply safe-use information with the testing needed for workplace use. Cambridge China Bridge sources zircon refractory bricks.
UK duty and the waste control
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6902 covers refractory ceramic bricks, blocks, tiles and similar constructional goods, excluding those made from siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. Every supplied line carries 0% duty for China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows shape examples under the same provisional line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The tariff attaches an import control for waste and also lists waste export controls and a cultural-object export licence entry. For zircon bricks arriving from China as waste into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in China for consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm the waste classification, applicable permissions and any relevance of the export entries.
For zircon-rich bricks, consider 6902 90 00 00, subject to confirmation from the complete chemical analysis and goods description. Blended formulations need their own classification review. Send the data sheet and drawings to your broker and follow our commodity code guide. See the related zirconia refractory brick guide for the neighbouring product family.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zircon refractory straight bricks, subject to composition | 6902 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the zircon material and furnace position
Write zircon, meaning zirconium silicate, into the specification and distinguish it from zirconia, meaning zirconium oxide. Ask the factory to identify the mineral phases, full composition, binder and additives. A zirconia assay alone does not establish that the brick has the zircon formulation you ordered.
Give the factory the furnace position, operating temperature, heating cycle and materials touching the brick. Agree dimensions, joint faces, tolerances, bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, refractoriness under load and permanent dimensional change on heating. Require batch results against the agreed specification.
For workplace supply, HSE identifies duties to provide safe-use information and instructions, including revisions, and the testing or examination needed for compliance. Obtain handling, cutting, installation and heat-up instructions suitable for the intended application. Use testing and certification support to organise the agreed checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative palletised order of zircon refractory bricks for a furnace repair under 6902 90 00 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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
Material: match batch identification to the composition report and check zircon phase identification against the agreed formulation.
Performance: compare sampled brick density, porosity, crushing strength and heating-test results with the purchase specification.
Shape: measure joint faces, wedge angles and dimensions against the drawing; check for warpage, cracks and damaged edges.
Arrival: inspect pallet stability, cushioning and corner protection; record chipped bricks and keep batch labels with the stock.
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What goes wrong
Similar product names can hide a different formulation. A supplier may offer zirconia bricks or a zircon-containing blend when the drawing calls for zircon bricks. Reconcile the quotation, composition report and approved sample before production; do not accept a material substitution solely because the stated service temperature looks suitable.
Uneven firing can leave bricks that shrink during heat-up and open joints. Poor thermal shock resistance can cause spalling, while chipped joint faces and incorrect wedge geometry disrupt the lining fit. Check batch properties and trial-fit the shapes before installation. Our quality inspection guide explains how to set an inspection brief.
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 zircon refractory bricks from China?
The supplied tariff facts, read on 1 October 2026, show 0% duty across heading 6902, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact code from the composition.
Are zircon bricks the same as zirconia bricks?
Zircon is zirconium silicate; zirconia is zirconium oxide. Specify the required formulation and obtain composition and mineral-phase evidence rather than relying on the product name.
What tests should I request for zircon refractory bricks?
Agree batch checks for composition, mineral phases, bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, refractoriness under load and dimensional change on heating.
Does the tariff waste control affect used zircon bricks?
Ask your broker to confirm whether the shipment is waste. For waste imports into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch-country competent authority for consent.