How to export Office furniture from the UK to China

Match the furniture to the Chinese import route

Office and metal furniture spans HS6 940310, 940320, 940370 and 940399: metal office furniture, other metal furniture, plastic furniture and non-wood furniture parts. Give your importer the materials and intended use so its customs broker can confirm classification and product-specific import requirements. The largest UK export line was 94032080, other metal furniture, at £1.1m in 2025; this is the HS-code total.

HMRC recorded £3.4m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 940310, 940320, 940370, 940399 in 2025 (2024: £3.5m, -3.5%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £2.5m. January to July 2026: £2.2m against £2.1m in the same months of 2025 (+4.4%).

Price against duty and import VAT

The listed Chinese tariff lines have an MFN rate of 0%. The standard import VAT rate is 13%, subject to special rules. VAT uses a composite price comprising customs value, customs duty and consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to this furniture. Border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price your importer can offer.

Prepare the UK shipment paperwork

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, you need a GB EORI and the correct commodity code. The online export declaration needs the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details and invoice and packing list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates. Keep descriptions consistent with the furniture's materials and use so the importer can match the shipment to its Chinese tariff line.

Check which pieces fit cross-border retail

The cross-border retail import list includes 94032000, 94037000 and 94039900; it is a partial match for this range. The 94039900 entry excludes goods listed in the wildlife import and export commodity catalogue if the specified certificate confirming they are outside that catalogue cannot be supplied. Have the importer check that remark against the proposed parts before choosing this route.

Listed goods imported through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements not applied, except for suspended epidemic-area goods or emergency risk handling. The overseas business carries the main product quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company to register with customs, declare truthfully and share civil liability.

Before ordering, consumers must accept a risk notice covering origin-country standards, possible differences from Chinese standards and possible absence of Chinese labels, with Chinese electronic labels available online. Purchases are for personal use and may not be resold. The transaction limit is RMB 5,000 and the annual limit RMB 26,000 per person, so assess whether the proposed furniture purchase fits these limits.

Find and check your Chinese trading partner

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached you, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export service to arrange that work around the furniture and route you intend to sell.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and, where required for cross-border retail, the agent remain with licensed partners in China; your own filings remain yours. We check with licensed partners. Establish the product-specific requirements with your importer before committing the shipment.