Sourcing decorative ceramic masks from China
Decorative ceramic masks from China carry UK duty of 2% to 6%, depending on the ceramic body, with no listed anti-dumping duty. Masks sold to consumers in Great Britain must be safe; check hanging points, sharp edges and whether the design invites play. Cambridge China Bridge sources decorative ceramic masks.
UK duty on decorative ceramic masks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6913 covers statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles, including purely decorative ceramic masks. Common pottery carries 2% duty from China; porcelain or china, earthenware or fine pottery and other ceramics carry 6%. Hand-made and other articles have separate commodity lines. For the wider heading, see ceramic decorative wall plaques.
The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches cat-and-dog-fur and waste import controls. Cat and dog fur, including products made from it, is banned from import: check any fur trim. If a shipment from China is waste subject to notification controls entering England, consent from the Environment Agency and other competent authorities is needed before shipment. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable waste requirements.
Confirm the commodity code using the ceramic body, manufacturing process and intended decorative use. Ask the factory for a material description and production details rather than accepting a code based on the painted finish. Keep the approved sample and specification with the classification enquiry.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made porcelain or china decorative masks | 6913 10 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Other porcelain or china decorative masks | 6913 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Hand-made common pottery decorative masks | 6913 90 10 10 | 2% | None |
| Other common pottery decorative masks | 6913 90 10 90 | 2% | None |
| Hand-made earthenware or fine pottery decorative masks | 6913 90 93 10 | 6% | None |
| Other earthenware or fine pottery decorative masks | 6913 90 93 90 | 6% | None |
| Hand-made decorative masks of other ceramics | 6913 90 98 10 | 6% | None |
| Other decorative masks of other ceramics | 6913 90 98 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the mask and its hanging arrangement
Specify the ceramic body, overall dimensions, weight, wall thickness, facial relief and any openings. Agree glaze colour, gloss, hand-painted details or decals against a physical master sample. Define acceptable variation in expression and brushwork. Show the position and construction of hanging holes, loops or brackets, the backing pads and how the mask should sit against the wall.
Consumer ornaments sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Demonstrate compliance before sale. Assess the hanging arrangement, exposed edges and detachable decorations. If the design or sales presentation invites children to play, assess whether toy rules apply; a decorative-use label alone does not remove those obligations. Agree clear display instructions and protective packing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 700 porcelain decorative masks; FOB value and freight are illustrative under 6913 10 00 90, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,500. Duty at 6% is £570. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,070, so it is £2,014. Import taxes total £2,584; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £570 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body and edges: inspect the nose, chin, eye openings and rear rim for chips, cracks and sharp exposed edges; compare dimensions and weight with the specification.
Decoration: compare facial details, glaze coverage and colours with the master sample; check for pinholes, unintended crazing, paint smears and misplaced decals.
Hanging: check hole positions, ceramic loops, brackets and glued joints; test the agreed hanging arrangement and confirm the mask sits as intended without rubbing the wall.
Packing: check that cushioning protects projecting features and separates accessories; drop-test the agreed packed carton and inspect the contents on arrival.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A projecting nose can break even when the carton looks intact. Thin ceramic around hanging holes can crack, glued brackets can loosen, and uneven backs can tilt the mask against the wall. Packing that presses directly on facial features can transfer an impact into the ceramic.
Painted expressions and glaze colours can drift from the approved sample. Record acceptable variation, inspect the rear as well as the face, and photograph damage before discarding packing. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
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 decorative ceramic masks from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 2% for common pottery and 6% for porcelain or china, earthenware or fine pottery and other ceramics, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does hand-painting make a ceramic mask hand-made for customs?
Do not decide from the painted finish alone. Provide the ceramic body and manufacturing process to your customs broker when confirming the commodity line.
Can I sell a ceramic mask as a children's play mask?
Assess whether toy rules apply if its design or sales presentation invites play. Ask Trading Standards how describing it as decorative affects that assessment.
How should decorative ceramic masks be packed?
Protect the projecting nose, chin and rim with shaped cushioning. Keep hanging accessories separate, prevent movement inside the carton and inspect the contents after the agreed packing test.