Sourcing ceramic external corner tiles from China
Ceramic external corner tiles from China carry 4% ordinary UK duty, plus anti-dumping duty ranging from 13.90% to 69.70% depending on the exporter and required invoice. Confirm construction-product standard coverage for the actual corner profile before agreeing marking and documents. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceramic external corner tiles.
4% duty plus anti-dumping duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6907 covers ceramic paving, hearth and wall tiles, mosaics and finishing ceramics. Ceramic external corner finishing pieces are the focus here. The table shows product variants sharing the finishing-ceramics line, 6907 40 00 00. For the wider heading, see ceramic coving tiles.
The ordinary duty for goods from China is 4%. The recorded residual anti-dumping duty is 69.70%. Named exporters have rates from 13.90% to 36.50%, subject to the required invoice; without it, the residual rate applies. No suspension is recorded. Confirm the exporter and additional code before costing the order.
The tariff attaches an import waste control. For material shipped from China to England under waste notification controls, shipment can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and other competent authorities. Ask your customs broker to confirm applicability to the consignment. The tariff also lists waste export control and a cultural-goods export licence; confirm their requirements with the broker if exporting. Use finding your commodity code to check the actual product.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finishing ceramics: rounded external corner tiles | 6907 40 00 00 | 4% | 69.70% residual anti-dumping |
Specify the corner profile and matching tile
An external corner is a projecting junction, including inside a building; the name does not establish suitability for outdoor use. Specify the cross-section, corner radius or angle, leg widths, length, thickness, bedding face and exposed glazed faces. Identify any handed pieces and end caps. Approve an assembled corner sample with the adjoining wall or skirting tiles and the intended joint width.
Fix the glaze finish, acceptable shade range, dimensional tolerances and packing method in writing. For outdoor installations, ask for water absorption and frost-resistance evidence for the supplied product. Check whether a designated construction-product standard covers the actual profile: products outside full standard coverage may be covered by a technical assessment document. Ask the supplier to explain the proposed marking and performance documentation rather than accepting documents for a different flat tile.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pallet order of matching ceramic external corner tiles under 6907 40 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,700. Duty at 4% is £148. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,848, so it is £769.60. Import taxes total £917.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £148 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Profile: measure sampled pieces against the approved drawing and assemble a corner with matching tiles; check alignment, joint width and any handed components.
Glaze: inspect the projecting nose and both exposed faces for chips, bare edges, cracks, pinholes and differences in gloss.
Batch match: compare corner pieces with adjoining tiles in daylight and check carton shade and batch identifiers against the approved sample.
Arrival and packing: check cushioning around projecting noses, carton separation and pallet stability; photograph damaged cartons and inspect their contents before mixing stock.
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What goes wrong
A corner piece can match the colour but have the wrong radius, leg width or thickness, leaving a step against the wall tile. Different firings can produce visible shade changes, while poorly protected noses chip in transit. Compare an assembled production sample with the approved corner and inspect across cartons before loading. See quality inspection explained.
Buyers also omit anti-dumping duty or assume that an adjoining large tile's exclusion covers its small corner pieces. Check the individual finishing piece and exporter separately. A corner profile also needs its own review of standard coverage; a performance document for the adjoining tile may not describe the supplied accessory.
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 external corner tiles from China?
The recorded ordinary duty is 4%, plus residual anti-dumping duty of 69.70%. A named exporter may qualify for its own rate with the required invoice. No suspension is recorded.
Does external corner mean the tile is suitable outdoors?
It describes a projecting corner, which can be indoors. For outdoor use, specify the exposure and obtain water absorption and frost-resistance evidence for the actual product.
How do I make corner tiles match my wall tiles?
Approve an assembled sample showing the corner, adjoining tiles and intended joints. Specify profile dimensions, glaze finish and shade range, then compare production batches together.
Can I use the wall tile's performance documents for corner pieces?
Check that the documents identify and cover the supplied corner profile and intended use. Ask the supplier to explain standard coverage and any technical assessment for the accessory.