Sourcing ceramic animal troughs from China
Ceramic animal feeding troughs for agricultural use from China carry 4% UK duty, with no listed anti-dumping duty or suspension. Cattle keepers must regularly clean feed containers and equipment, so specify surfaces that are easy to clean. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceramic animal feeding troughs.
4% duty on agricultural ceramic troughs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6909 covers technical ceramics, agricultural ceramic troughs and similar receptacles, and ceramic containers for conveying or packing goods. Agricultural animal feeding troughs fall within 6909 90 00 00. The table shows product variants sharing this code. See the technical and laboratory ceramics guide for the wider heading.
Goods from China under this code carry 4% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches an import waste control. For waste subject to notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Confirm the requirements for any proposed waste shipment from China with your customs broker. The record also lists waste export control and a DCMS Export Licence, which should be checked separately if exporting or returning goods.
Confirm the commodity code using the material, photographs and intended agricultural use. Do not assume a household pet bowl belongs under this agricultural description. Ask the broker to check the current measures before shipment. See UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic agricultural animal feeding troughs | 6909 90 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the feeding surface and installation
Specify the animal species, feed type, usable capacity, internal dimensions, rim height, wall thickness and base shape. Include mounting details where applicable. Agree the ceramic body, glaze coverage and acceptable surface finish against an approved sample. For outdoor use, ask for evidence of performance under the intended freezing and cleaning conditions.
Cattle keepers must regularly clean feed storage areas, containers and equipment. Choose a trough whose corners and feeding surface can be reached during cleaning. Trial the sample with the buyer's feed and cleaning products, then check for trapped residue, glaze damage and retained moisture.
If the trough is supplied as a consumer product in Great Britain, general product safety rules require it to be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess handling, stability and sharp fragments if it breaks. Agree cleaning and handling instructions, and ask for material and glaze test evidence relevant to the intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 ceramic agricultural animal feeding troughs under 6909 90 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 4% is £700. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,200, so it is £3,640. Import taxes total £4,340; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £700 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body and rim: inspect for cracks, chips, sharp edges and repairs; compare wall thickness and shape with the approved sample.
Feeding surface: check glaze coverage, pinholes, rough patches and inaccessible corners; trial cleaning on a sample.
Fit and stability: measure internal dimensions and mounting points; check that the base sits securely and the trough fits its intended support.
Packing and arrival: check cushioning, separation and carton identification; on arrival, photograph damage and segregate cracked troughs. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A trough can match the external drawing while holding less feed because its walls are thicker or corners more rounded. Rough glaze and pinholes trap residue; warped bases rock on their supports. Agree checks on the usable interior and trial the approved sample in its intended position.
Rims chip when troughs touch inside cartons, and cracks can be concealed beneath cushioning. Inspect unpacked samples before dispatch and again on arrival. Record defects by carton and batch, and agree the replacement or credit process before ordering.
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 ceramic animal feeding troughs from China?
Agricultural ceramic feeding troughs under 6909 90 00 00 carry 4% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Are ceramic pet bowls covered by the same code?
Do not assume so. This guide covers agricultural feeding troughs. Give your broker the material, photographs and intended use to confirm classification.
What should I ask the factory to test?
Ask for evidence on the ceramic body and glaze, usable capacity, stability and resistance to your cleaning products. For outdoor use, agree checks for the intended freezing conditions.
Does the waste control apply to my trough order?
The tariff attaches an import waste control. Ask your broker to confirm its application to the consignment, particularly if buying discarded, broken or scrap ceramics from China.