Sourcing clay roof valley tiles from China

UK duty on clay roof valley tiles

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6905 covers roofing tiles and other ceramic constructional goods. The roofing-tile line, 6905 10 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows product variants sharing this commodity code.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For a shipment from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the control applies and what documents or consent are required before dispatch. The record also lists waste export controls and a cultural-object export licence measure.

Confirm the material, roofing use and valley-fitting description through our commodity-code guide. Send the broker a drawing and product photographs. For the wider product family, see clay roof tiles.

Specify the valley geometry and matching roof tiles

Specify fired clay, surface finish, colour, dimensions, valley angle, water-channel profile, overlap and fixing features. Provide the adjoining roof-tile profile and roof pitches rather than ordering from a photograph alone. Ask the roofer to approve a trial assembly showing how the valley tiles meet the surrounding tiles and discharge water.

Confirm with the relevant authority whether BS EN 1304 applies to the supplied clay roofing tiles and fittings and what declaration of performance and product marking are required. Obtain frost and water test reports matching the valley fitting supplied. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the market in Great Britain. Agree the installation details with the roofer against BS 5534 and the manufacturer's instructions.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pallet shipment of clay roof valley tiles under 6905 10 00 00, invoiced at £4,500 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,000, so it is £1,200. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: measure sampled valley tiles against the approved drawing and assemble them with the intended roof tiles. Check seating, overlap and a clear water path.

Performance: match the declaration and reports to the supplied product. Check frost results to BS EN 539-2, impermeability to BS EN 539-1 and the reported flexural strength.

Finish: compare samples from different pallets in daylight with the approved colour sample. Check for cracks, chipped water-channel edges and distorted profiles.

Packing: check that separators protect projecting edges, pallets are secured and labels identify the product and firing batch. Inspect again on arrival before releasing stock.

What goes wrong

A valley tile can match the roof colour but still fail to fit the roof intersection. An unsuitable angle, warped channel or uneven seating can interrupt drainage. Check a sample assembly before approving production, including the transition to the adjoining tiles.

Different firings can create visible colour changes, while chipped edges and frost damage can undermine the channel. Agree batch matching, inspect before loading and record arrival damage against pallet labels. Use the quality inspection guide to define what the inspector must check.

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.