Sourcing ceramic cremation urns from China

0% duty on ceramic cremation urns

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6914 covers other ceramic articles. This guide concerns empty ceramic cremation urns classified within that heading. The supplied Chinese-origin lines all carry 0% duty, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions. Stoneware and terracotta options share the residual code in the table.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and waste import controls. Imports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned: exclude such fur from decorations. For waste subject to notification controls, the exporter in China must apply to the competent authority there for consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm the waste requirement for the actual shipment and destination. The snapshot also records cultural-object, fur and waste export controls.

Heading 6914 is a residual heading for ceramics not classified elsewhere. Give your broker the body composition, photographs and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see ceramic plant pots. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify capacity and the urn closure

Specify porcelain, stoneware or pottery; usable internal capacity; opening size; external dimensions; filled weight; and the base footprint. Measure capacity below the fitted lid rather than to the rim. Agree whether the urn receives a sealed ashes bag, and check that the intended bag passes through the opening without snagging.

Agree a removable or permanently sealed lid, closure materials, any gasket, and filling instructions. Approve a physical sample for glaze colour, decoration and personalised lettering. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. For urns, assess stability, sharp glaze edges and safe handling when filled; retain the sample and inspection records.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of glazed stoneware cremation urns for a funeral retailer under 6914 90 00 90, invoiced at £4,500 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,000, so it is £1,200. 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

Capacity and opening: measure usable capacity on production samples and trial the intended liner or ashes bag through the neck.

Lid and seal: check each sampled lid against its own urn, inspect mating surfaces and threads, and trial the agreed closure with a clean substitute filling.

Body and finish: inspect the neck, shoulder and base for cracks, chips and sharp glaze; compare colour and lettering with the approved sample; check stability when filled.

Packing and arrival: keep lids from striking the body, cushion the neck and base, and inspect packed samples after an agreed handling test. On arrival, record carton damage, broken urns and mismatched lids. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

External size can hide inadequate usable capacity, while a narrow neck makes filling difficult. Firing distortion can leave lids rocking or threads binding. A closure that looks secure on an empty sample may loosen during handling, and lettering errors can make personalised stock unusable.

Ceramic lids and shoulders can chip when they touch inside the carton. Approve packing with the actual urn and lid, keep matched parts together, and inspect samples from different production cartons. Separate cracked or unstable stock before dispatch to customers.

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.