Sourcing concrete paving blocks from China

Zero duty on concrete paving blocks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 October 2026, heading 6810 covers articles of cement, concrete or artificial stone, whether or not reinforced. Concrete paving blocks belong within the tiles, flagstones, bricks and similar articles family. The table shows product variants under the same commodity line.

The supplied tariff record lists 0% duty for goods from China throughout this heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. The paving-block line is 6810 19 00 00. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Give your broker the composition, photographs, dimensions and intended paving use to confirm the commodity code. The precast concrete drainage channels guide covers another product family within the wider heading.

Specify the paving surface and intended traffic

State whether the blocks are for pedestrian areas, driveways or heavier traffic. Agree the shape, length, width, thickness, chamfer, spacer geometry, surface texture and dimensional tolerances. Approve physical colour samples and a laid sample panel, rather than relying on catalogue photographs.

CE-marked construction products can be supplied in Great Britain where EU requirements are met. Manufacturers of products covered by a harmonised standard must draw up a declaration of performance. Ask for the applicable paving-block standard, declaration and supporting reports for the exact product; agree strength, abrasion, slip and frost performance with the project specifier before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative palletised consignment of concrete paving blocks for a landscaping supplier under 6810 19 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,000, so it is £3,600. 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

Dimensions: measure production blocks against the approved drawing, including thickness, chamfers and spacers. Lay sampled blocks together to check joint consistency and rocking.

Surface and colour: compare blocks from different pallets with the approved panel. Record cracks, chipped edges, exposed aggregate, face-layer defects and white deposits.

Performance documents: match the declaration and test reports to the factory, product type, finish and intended use. Arrange quality inspection around the agreed specification.

Packing and arrival: check pallet weights, straps, corner protection and batch identification. Photograph damaged packs before unloading and inspect blocks from inside the stacks.

What goes wrong

Mixed colour batches leave visible patches after laying. Thickness variation creates uneven surfaces, damaged spacers change joint widths, and weak edges chip during handling. A showroom sample can hide production variation, so inspect the shipment batch and retain approved samples.

Frost damage, surface wear and a slippery finish are harder to judge at arrival than broken corners. Review relevant test evidence before shipment. Blocks with drainage spacers also need a laying design that suits the drainage objective; the block shape alone does not establish the performance of the completed pavement.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.