How to export porcelain from the UK to China

Agree the route and classification before shipping

For porcelain and fine china tableware, distinguish HS 691110 tableware and kitchenware from HS 691190 household and toilet articles. Agree the Chinese tariff line and import route with the buyer’s customs broker. The largest UK export line was 69111000, at £1.0m in 2025. GACC Decree 280 concerns overseas food manufacturers, so its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to porcelain. For the reverse trade direction, see our guide to sourcing porcelain mugs from China.

HMRC recorded £1.1m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 691110, 691190 in 2025 (2024: £1.5m, -25.3%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £781k. January to July 2026: £1.0m against £562k in the same months of 2025 (+78.5%).

Build duty and VAT into the buyer’s price

The listed Chinese tariff lines carry a 7% MFN rate. Import VAT is generally 13%, subject to the VAT Law’s exceptions, and is calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to porcelain. Border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price your importer can offer.

Prepare the UK export declaration

Classify the porcelain under the correct UK commodity code. Exports from England, Scotland or Wales need a GB EORI number and an online export declaration. Give the declarant the code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references. The carrier needs the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates; agree the shipment’s document requirements before dispatch.

Use cross-border retail for personal-use sales

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list includes 69111011 bone china tableware, 69111019 other tableware, 69111021 knives, 69111029 other kitchenware and 69119000 other household or toilet porcelain. The retail transaction limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person. Match the actual article to the listed line before choosing this route.

Listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 channels are supervised as personal-use articles. First-import licence, registration and filing requirements are not applied, except for goods from suspended epidemic areas or subject to 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 agree to a risk notice: the porcelain meets origin-country standards but may differ from Chinese standards, may lack a Chinese label with a Chinese electronic label available online, and is for personal use without resale. This route therefore cannot supply porcelain for a distributor’s resale stock.

Find and check the Chinese buyer

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to arrange that work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The regulated roles stay with licensed partners in China, including the importer of record and, for cross-border retail, the cross-border e-commerce agent. Your brand’s own filings stay your brand’s.