Sourcing ceramic fragrance oil burners from China
Ceramic fragrance oil burners classified under heading 6913 carry UK duty of 2% to 6% from China, depending on the ceramic body. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Check heat resistance, stability and bowl leakage. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceramic fragrance oil burners.
2% or 6% duty, depending on the ceramic body
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6913 covers statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles. For fragrance oil burners correctly classified here, goods from China carry 2% duty for common pottery and 6% for porcelain or china, earthenware or fine pottery, and other ceramics. The snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches cat and dog fur and waste import controls. Imports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned. Waste shipped under notification controls needs consent from the competent authorities of destination, dispatch and transit. For a China shipment involving discarded or broken goods, confirm the applicable waste procedure with your customs broker before shipping.
This guide concerns non-electric ceramic burners heated by a tealight, supplied without fragrance oil. Confirm the body composition, manufacturing method and intended use through our commodity code guide; a supplier's description alone does not settle classification. For the wider heading, see our decorative ceramic incense burners guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made porcelain or china fragrance oil burners | 6913 10 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Other porcelain or china fragrance oil burners | 6913 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Other common pottery fragrance oil burners | 6913 90 10 90 | 2% | None |
| Other earthenware or fine pottery fragrance oil burners | 6913 90 93 90 | 6% | None |
| Other ceramic fragrance oil burners | 6913 90 98 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the bowl, candle chamber and heat performance
Specify the ceramic body, overall dimensions, wall thickness, bowl capacity, glaze coverage and whether the bowl is integral or removable. Agree the compatible tealight dimensions, candle position, clearance below the bowl, ventilation openings and access for removing the spent candle. Approve a physical sample with the intended candle and fragrance mixture, rather than judging the shape from photographs.
Consumer burners sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Ask for a documented assessment of flame exposure, hot surfaces, tipping, cracking and foreseeable misuse. Agree English instructions covering the intended liquid mixture, filling, supervision and cooling before handling. Arrange suitable heat and leakage testing through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 common pottery fragrance oil burners under 6913 90 10 90, invoiced at £2,800 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,300. Duty at 2% is £86. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,386, so it is £877.20. Import taxes total £963.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £86 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Bowl and glaze: check for cracks, pinholes, crazing, sharp rims and leakage with the intended liquid mixture; compare finish and colour with the approved sample.
Heat and flame: test sampled burners under controlled conditions with the specified tealight; check for cracking, soot, flame contact and changes after cooling.
Stability and access: check bases sit flat, removable bowls seat securely and candles can be inserted and removed without forcing or scraping.
Packing and instructions: check bowls and bodies are separated and cushioned, inspect pieces after the agreed carton drop test, and check the agreed instructions, contact details and batch identification.
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What goes wrong
A burner may look sound when cold but crack during heating or leak through a glaze defect. An unsuitable candle or cramped chamber can bring the flame too close to the bowl. Uneven bases, loose removable bowls and exposed hot surfaces also create problems that a colour inspection will miss.
Packing can protect the outer body while leaving the bowl rim or removable dish unsupported. Approve packing around the actual product, retain the tested sample and investigate cracked or leaking arrivals before releasing stock. Use our quality inspection guide to agree the checks before production.
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 fragrance oil burners from China?
For burners correctly classified under heading 6913, the snapshot gives 2% for common pottery and 6% for the other ceramic bodies, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
What should I test before ordering ceramic oil burners?
Check heat performance with the specified tealight, bowl leakage, stability, candle clearance and ventilation. Repeat checks after cooling and inspect packed samples for transport damage.
Does this guide cover fragrance oil supplied with the burner?
No. It covers the non-electric ceramic burner supplied without oil. Specify any fragrance oil, candles or electrical components separately and review the complete set before ordering.
Does a hand-made ceramic oil burner have a lower duty rate?
Not simply because it is hand-made. The snapshot gives 2% for common pottery and 6% for the other listed ceramic bodies, whether hand-made or otherwise.