Sourcing ceramic kitchen canisters from China
Ceramic kitchen canisters from China under heading 6912 carry UK duty of 4% to 8%, plus anti-dumping duty with a residual rate of 36.10%. Confirm applicable lead and cadmium migration requirements and any declaration or supporting test documentation needed for food-storage ceramics with the relevant food safety authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceramic kitchen canisters.
Duty on ceramic kitchen canisters
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 6912 covers ceramic tableware, kitchenware, household and toilet articles other than porcelain or china. For kitchen canisters, common pottery and stoneware lines carry 4%, earthenware or fine pottery 8%, and other ceramics 6%. The selected kitchenware lines also carry residual anti-dumping duty of 36.10%, with no suspensions listed. Check the supplier's company-specific anti-dumping rate before ordering.
The tariff attaches import waste controls, export waste controls and a cultural-object export licence measure. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For any consignment from China classed as waste, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirements before shipping; also confirm any export requirements before returning goods.
Confirm the ceramic body and intended kitchen use through finding your commodity code. A decorative container may need a different classification. For the glass alternative, see glass storage jars.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made common pottery kitchen canisters | 6912 00 21 11 | 4% | 36.10% residual anti-dumping |
| Other common pottery kitchen canisters | 6912 00 21 91 | 4% | 36.10% residual anti-dumping |
| Stoneware kitchen canisters | 6912 00 23 10 | 4% | 36.10% residual anti-dumping |
| Earthenware or fine pottery kitchen canisters | 6912 00 25 10 | 8% | 36.10% residual anti-dumping |
| Other non-porcelain ceramic kitchen canisters | 6912 00 29 10 | 6% | 36.10% residual anti-dumping |
Specify the canister body, lid and food use
Specify the ceramic body, usable capacity, opening diameter, overall dimensions, glaze colour, decoration position and intended contents. Define the lid material, gasket material, replacement gasket availability and acceptable lid movement. Agree how any airtight claim will be checked against an approved sample.
Confirm applicable lead and cadmium migration limits and any written declaration of compliance or supporting test documentation needed for food-storage ceramics with the relevant food safety authority. Request reports matching the supplied body, glaze and decoration. Include the lid and gasket in your food-contact assessment, and agree washing instructions and any dishwasher claim before production. For ceramic spoon rests, see our ceramic spoon rest sourcing guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 stoneware kitchen canisters under 6912 00 23 10, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 4% is £304. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,904, so it is £1,580.80. Import taxes total £1,884.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £304 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body and glaze: check rims and interiors for chips, cracks, glaze crazing, rough patches and exposed decoration.
Lid and seal: check lid seating, gasket retention and closure consistency against the approved sample.
Capacity and matching: check usable capacity, opening size, colour consistency and lid interchangeability where promised.
Documents and packing: match test reports to the supplied finish, then check that lids and bodies are separated and cushioned against impact.
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What goes wrong
A warped opening makes a lid rock; a loose gasket undermines the airtight claim. Glaze defects can appear inside the canister even when the exterior looks acceptable. Heavy lids packed against rims can cause chips in transit. Inspect unpacked samples from different cartons, using your agreed quality inspection checks.
A report for a plain sample does not establish the performance of a changed glaze or decoration. Agree which finished variants will be tested and retain the approved samples so repeat orders can be compared.
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 kitchen canisters from China?
Under heading 6912, common pottery and stoneware carry 4%, earthenware or fine pottery 8%, and other ceramics 6%, plus anti-dumping duty with a residual rate of 36.10% on the selected kitchenware lines.
What food contact documents should I request?
Request a written declaration of compliance and supporting lead and cadmium migration test documentation for the supplied ceramic body, glaze and decoration.
How do I check an airtight ceramic canister?
Agree a closure test before ordering. Check lid seating and gasket retention, then compare production samples with the approved sample under the agreed test conditions.
Does heading 6912 include porcelain canisters?
No. Heading 6912 excludes porcelain or china. Ask the supplier to identify the ceramic body before confirming the commodity code.