Sourcing ceramic mosaic sheets from China

4% duty plus anti-dumping duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6907 covers ceramic tiles, ceramic mosaics whether or not on a backing, and finishing ceramics. The mosaic line is 6907 30 00 00. The other table rows describe neighbouring tile categories, to use only if your customs broker confirms that the goods belong there. See the wider ceramic and porcelain tile guide.

The supplied snapshot lists 4% duty and 69.70% residual anti-dumping duty for goods from China, with no suspensions listed. Our wider tile guide records named-exporter rates from 13.90% to 36.50%, conditional on the required invoice. Have your broker confirm the exporter's additional code and applicable rate before costing the order. Include anti-dumping duty in the illustrative order calculation.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import waste control. For goods from China that are waste subject to notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in the country of dispatch for consent. Confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker before shipment. For new sheets, provide photographs, ceramic composition, chip dimensions and backing details to confirm the commodity code.

Specify the chips, joints and backing

State ceramic composition, chip shape, chip dimensions, thickness, sheet dimensions and joint width. Specify glaze or unglazed finish, shade range, pattern direction and the permitted variation between sheets. Identify whether the backing is mesh, paper facing or another system, and approve a sample assembled across adjoining sheets.

State the intended use: walls, floors, wet areas or outdoors. Ask for water absorption and strength results, slip performance for floors and frost resistance for outdoor use. Agree backing and mounting adhesive compatibility with the tiler's installation system, particularly for wet locations. Check how much of each chip's rear face remains available for bonding.

For ceramic tiles supplied as construction products, confirm with the Office for Product Safety and Standards which manufacturer's declaration of performance and product marking requirements apply, using our wider tile guide as a starting point. Check that the documents identify the supplied product and intended use. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied to the Great Britain market.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative palletised batch of ceramic mosaic sheets; include applicable anti-dumping duty under 6907 30 00 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,000. Duty at 4% is £920. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,920, so it is £4,784. Import taxes total £5,704; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £920 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Sheet alignment: lay adjoining sheets on a flat surface and compare internal joints with the joints between sheets. Check skewed chips, pattern direction and visible sheet boundaries.

Faces and dimensions: compare chip thickness, sheet dimensions, flatness, glaze coverage and shade with the approved sample. Look for chipped edges, cracks and uneven surfaces.

Backing and bonding: check missing chips, loose mesh, excessive mounting adhesive and blocked bonding surfaces. Have the tiler trial the agreed installation system using production samples.

Arrival and packing: inspect cartons for crushing or moisture, compare batch and shade identification, and record broken or detached chips before mixing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.

What goes wrong

A sheet can look acceptable alone but reveal a grid when installed because its outer joints differ from its internal spacing. Mixed firing batches create shade patches, uneven chip thickness creates raised edges, and excessive mounting adhesive can obstruct the bond. Approve an adjoining-sheet layout and an installation trial before accepting production.

Buyers also miss anti-dumping duty or rely on an invoice that does not support the claimed exporter rate. Get the customs position checked before accepting the quote, and keep the approved shade sample, backing specification and batch records available for arrival checks.

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.