Sourcing bar stools from China
Bar stools from China carry UK duty from 0% to 4% across the lines shown: wooden and metal-framed stools and adjustable swivel seats are 0%, while bamboo and rattan seats are 4%. Confirm the applicable furniture fire safety requirements for upholstered stools sold for home use with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources bar stools.
Bar-stool duty depends on construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 9401 covers seats and their parts. The bar-stool lines shown range from 0% to 4% for goods from China. Wooden and metal-framed stools, upholstered or otherwise, and swivel seats with variable height adjustment carry 0%; bamboo and rattan seats carry 4%. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no tariff suspension.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur controls: imports of that fur and products made from it are banned. Wooden and metal-framed seat lines also carry CITES controls and a torture-and-repression import prohibition. For CITES-listed materials, official guidance requires permits for species in Annex A, B or C; confirm the China shipment's documents with your customs broker. For the torture-related measure, ask the broker to confirm the requirement against the product and tariff footnotes.
Provide photographs, frame materials, upholstery details and confirmation of both swivel and height-adjustment functions before confirming the commodity code. A rotating seat without variable height adjustment should not be selected solely because it swivels. See the wider furniture guide for other furniture families.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden swivel bar stools with variable height adjustment | 9401 31 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other swivel bar stools with variable height adjustment | 9401 39 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Upholstered bar stools with wooden frames | 9401 61 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other bar stools with wooden frames | 9401 69 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Upholstered bar stools with metal frames | 9401 71 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other bar stools with metal frames | 9401 79 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Bamboo bar stools | 9401 52 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Rattan bar stools | 9401 53 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify seat height, base and upholstery
Start with the intended setting: kitchen counter, bar counter or hospitality seating. Agree seat height against the actual counter, footrest position, seat depth, backrest shape and floor contact material. For adjustable designs, specify the usable height range, base footprint, swivel behaviour and gas-lift model. Approve a fully assembled sample before production.
Record the frame material, joint construction, finish, cover fabric and filling in the specification. Confirm with the relevant authority whether upholstered stools sold for homes fall within the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and which requirements apply. Consumer stools sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Ask for test reports matching the production model and agree stability, footrest strength and repeated-use checks with the testing laboratory.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 400 upholstered metal-framed bar stools, illustrative only under 9401 71 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,500, so it is £5,100. 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
Geometry: assemble stools on a level surface; check seat height, footrest position, leg contact and wobble against the approved sample.
Mechanisms: operate the swivel and height adjustment; check for sinking, sticking, excessive play and accessible pinch points.
Frame and upholstery: inspect welds, timber joints, sharp edges, finish adhesion, seams and cover tension; match fabric and filling to the agreed specification.
Packing: check that bases and footrests cannot rub against finished surfaces; count fittings and trial the supplied assembly instructions. Use the inspection guide to agree shipment checks.
What goes wrong
A stool can look correct in a photograph yet sit at the wrong height for the buyer's counter. Narrow bases, uneven legs and loose footrest joints cause wobble; adjustable stools can sink or develop play at the swivel. Test the assembled production sample rather than accepting a seat shell or showroom sample.
Fabric or filling substitutions can leave the production stool different from the item covered by its fire test evidence. Poor packing scratches coated legs and dents bases, while missing fittings delay installation. Record approved components, retain the sample and check cartons before releasing the shipment.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on bar stools from China?
The listed bar-stool lines carry 0% to 4%: wooden and metal-framed stools and adjustable swivel seats are 0%; bamboo and rattan seats are 4%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is shown.
Do upholstered kitchen bar stools need fire testing?
Confirm with the relevant authority whether upholstered stools sold for home use fall within the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and which requirements apply. Obtain evidence matching the actual cover, filling and model.
How do I choose the right bar-stool height?
Measure the actual counter and approve an assembled sample. Check seated clearance, footrest position and access; agree the usable range for an adjustable stool.
What should I check on gas-lift bar stools?
Check height adjustment, sinking, swivel play, base stability and pinch points. Match the gas-lift model to the approved sample and inspect the assembled production stool.