Sourcing artificial moss mats from China

UK duty and material classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6702 covers artificial flowers, foliage and fruit, their parts and articles made from them. This guide concerns artificial moss mats within that family. The supplied data shows 4% duty for goods from China under both the plastic and other-material lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions.

The other-material line carries CITES import and export controls. Listed species can require permits. If a mat includes natural material, identify its species and ask your customs broker to confirm the documentation needed for the shipment from China. The tariff flag alone does not establish that every artificial mat needs a permit.

Confirm the commodity code against the moss surface, backing and overall construction. The table shows product variants sharing the available tariff lines; sheet or roll format alone does not determine classification. See the artificial green wall panels guide for the wider heading.

Moss texture, backing and joined edges

Specify whether the moss effect is moulded, flocked or made from attached fibres. Record the surface and backing materials, colour mix, pile texture, dimensions, flexibility and intended fixing method. Confirm whether any real moss or other natural material is included. Approve joined samples against the intended display background and retain them for quality inspection.

State indoor or outdoor use and request weathering evidence for outdoor ranges. Agree any fire performance evidence requested by the venue before production, covering the moss surface, backing, adhesive and treatment supplied. Consumer products must be safe; for consumer sales, demonstrate product safety compliance before selling.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative consignment of plastic artificial moss sheets for a display supplier under 6702 10 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,000. Duty at 4% is £1,120. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,120, so it is £5,824. Import taxes total £6,944; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,120 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Surface and colour: compare unpacked mats with the retained sample in daylight; rub and handle the surface to check colour transfer, loose flock and bare patches.

Backing and fixing: flex the mat and inspect cracking, separation and adhesive residue; trial the agreed fixing method on the intended substrate.

Edges and coverage: join mats and check exposed backing, gaps, changes in pile direction and colour differences; inspect cut edges for loose fibres.

Packing and evidence: check whether compressed pile recovers after unpacking, rolls lie flat, carton contents match the order and requested reports describe the supplied construction.

What goes wrong

A loose sample can conceal seams that become obvious across a display. Flattened pile, curling backing, shedding flock and inconsistent greens can make production mats look different from the approved sample. Inspect joined mats after unpacking and record the agreed materials so substitutions are visible.

Outdoor colour can fade, and adhesives or coatings can become sticky in warm storage. Fire evidence for a different backing or treatment may be rejected by the venue. Agree these checks before shipment and compare arrival stock with the retained sample.

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.