Sourcing ceramic pencil border tiles from China
Ceramic pencil border tiles from China carry a fixed 4% UK duty, plus anti-dumping duty: named-exporter rates run from 13.90% to 36.50% with the required invoice, or 69.70% residual. Confirm the code and exporter before ordering, then approve the profile and glaze match. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceramic pencil border tiles.
4% duty plus anti-dumping duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6907 covers ceramic tiles, mosaics and finishing ceramics. For moulded pencil borders, check the finishing-ceramics line, 6907 40 00 00. The table also includes flat border wall tiles for comparison; their absorption categories should not be used to classify a moulded finishing piece automatically. See the wider ceramic skirting tiles guide.
All listed lines carry 4% duty from China and a 69.70% residual anti-dumping rate, with no suspensions recorded. The published tile guide gives named-exporter rates from 13.90% to 36.50%, conditional on the required invoice. Confirm the exporter's additional code and invoice before accepting a landed-cost calculation; do not assume a decorative border is exempt.
The tariff attaches an import waste control. For Chinese goods entering England as waste under notification controls, the process starts in China and the exporter applies to its competent authority for consent. Confirm the applicable waste procedure with your customs broker. The tariff also lists export waste controls and a cultural-goods export licence measure. Confirm the commodity code using the profile drawing, material and intended use.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finishing ceramics, including moulded pencil trims | 6907 40 00 00 | 4% | 69.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Flat border wall tiles with water absorption not exceeding 0.5% | 6907 21 00 00 | 4% | 69.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Flat border wall tiles with water absorption over 0.5% but not over 10% | 6907 22 00 00 | 4% | 69.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Flat border wall tiles with water absorption over 10% | 6907 23 00 00 | 4% | 69.70% residual anti-dumping |
Specify the pencil profile and glaze match
Specify the cross-section, length, projection from the wall, bedding face, straightness and dimensional tolerances. Identify which faces must be glazed, including exposed ends. Agree whether corners use matching fittings or site-cut mitres. Approve a sample assembly beside the intended wall tile, with the planned joint, rather than approving the trim alone.
State glaze colour, gloss, acceptable shade variation and intended indoor or outdoor use. Ask for absorption results and frost-resistance evidence where relevant. For tiles covered by the construction-product standard, confirm with the relevant authority which manufacturer's declaration of performance and product marking requirements apply. CE marking continues to be recognised for construction products in Great Britain. Match the documents to the actual trim supplied.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pallet order of ceramic pencil border tiles; anti-dumping duty also applies 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 the supplied cross-section and projection against the approved drawing; assemble straight runs and corners to check alignment and joint consistency.
Glaze: compare trims with the approved wall tile in consistent light; check exposed ends, pinholes, crazing, glaze runs and chips.
Batch: compare shade across cartons and check product references, shade identifiers and batch labels against the order and supporting documents.
Packing: check separation between pieces, end cushioning and carton support; on arrival, photograph broken pieces and damaged packaging before sorting. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A trim can match the tile colour but project too far from the wall, have a different gloss or leave an unglazed end visible. Slight bowing creates uneven joints along a border. Corner fittings can have a different profile from the straight pieces. Keep an approved assembled sample and compare production pieces with it.
Long, narrow pieces can arrive with chipped ends or hidden cracks when cartons allow movement. Mixed firing batches can produce a patchy border. A quotation can also omit anti-dumping duty or assume an exporter-specific rate without the required invoice. Confirm the tax treatment and packing before dispatch.
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 pencil border tiles from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 4% duty plus 69.70% residual anti-dumping duty. Named-exporter rates in the published tile guide range from 13.90% to 36.50% with the required invoice.
Which commodity code covers ceramic pencil trims?
Check 6907 40 00 00 for moulded finishing ceramics. Flat border wall tiles may fall under the absorption-based tile lines. Have your broker confirm the code from the actual product.
Will pencil borders match my existing wall tiles?
Approve a trim beside the actual wall tile. Compare colour, gloss, projection and joint alignment, then agree the acceptable shade range for production.
What should I check when pencil border tiles arrive?
Check chipped ends, cracks, bowing, glaze coverage, shade consistency and corner fit. Photograph damage and retain the carton and batch labels before separating usable stock.