Sourcing clay roof tiles from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, roofing tiles, chimney-pots, cowls, chimney liners, architectural ornaments and other ceramic constructional goods, heading 6905, carried 0% on goods from China on both lines, with no anti-dumping measure.

Concrete roof tiles are classified under heading 6810 and natural slate under 6803 (see our roofing slate guide). Confirm the commodity code from the material.

Construction product rules

Clay roofing tiles and fittings are covered by the harmonised standard BS EN 1304, so under the retained Construction Products Regulation the manufacturer issues a declaration of performance, including frost resistance, and marks the product. Ask for the declaration and test reports for the exact tile and firing.

Tiles are laid and fixed to BS 5534, the code of practice for slating and tiling, which sets minimum pitches, fixing and wind uplift checks; the tile maker's minimum pitch and fixing details must fit that code for the roof.

Specifying tiles

Specify tile type and profile, size and cover width, colour and surface (natural, engobe or glazed), weight per square metre, minimum pitch, nail holes and clips, and the matching fittings such as ridges, hips, verges and ventilation tiles. Order fittings with the tiles from one firing, because colour varies between kilns.

Worked duty example

For a made-up shipment of one container of clay interlocking roof tiles under 6905 10 00 00, add the £4,500 of freight and insurance to the £14,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £18,500. Duty on clay roof tiles is zero, leaving import VAT of £3,700, 20% of the customs value. For a VAT-registered buyer that is a cash-flow cost rather than a lasting one. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.

Inspection checklist

Frost and water: ask for frost resistance test results to BS EN 539-2 and impermeability to BS EN 539-1 for the tile and firing shipped, since a tile that passes one climate's method can fail the method used for northern Europe.

Shape and strength: check flatness, length and width against BS EN 1304 on sampled tiles, lay a test panel to check the interlocks fit, and check flexural strength results for the batch.

Colour and packing: compare colour across pallets against the approved sample in daylight, check for cracks and chips, and check pallets are strapped and wrapped with tiles on edge.

What goes wrong

Clay tiles fail on frost, fit and colour. Tiles made for a milder climate spall or crack after UK freeze-thaw winters, interlocks do not seat so rain blows in, colour varies between pallets from different firings, and fittings arrive in a different shade from the tiles.

Test frost resistance to the right method before ordering, lay a sample panel, and check colour across pallets before loading. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources clay tiles and fittings for merchants, housebuilders and contractors, and can run container orders across several colours. See container programmes.