Sourcing fibre cement roof sheets from China
Fibre cement roof sheets from China carry 0% UK import duty across the relevant heading 6811 lines, with no trade remedies recorded. New sheets containing intentionally added asbestos cannot be imported into Great Britain. Check asbestos reports and construction product documentation before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources fibre cement roof sheets.
Duty on fibre cement roof sheets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, heading 6811 covers articles of asbestos-cement, cellulose fibre-cement or similar materials. Asbestos-free corrugated roof sheets fall under 6811 81 00 00; non-corrugated sheets and roofing tiles fall under 6811 82 00 00. The remaining table rows show adjacent articles and the prohibited asbestos-containing category for comparison.
Every listed line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. This does not establish whether asbestos-containing articles may be imported: confirm the applicable UK REACH restrictions with HSE or your customs broker. Placing on the market includes import.
Confirm the material, sheet profile and intended use before choosing the commodity code. Classify separately supplied shaped articles on their own description rather than automatically using the sheet code. See the wider fibre cement guide for other products within the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos-free corrugated fibre cement roof sheets | 6811 81 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Asbestos-free non-corrugated sheets and roofing tiles | 6811 82 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other asbestos-free fibre cement articles, subject to classification | 6811 89 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Asbestos-containing cement articles: prohibited new roofing products | 6811 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the roof profile and declared performance
Agree the corrugation profile, sheet length, width, thickness, effective cover width, colour and coating. Supply drawings showing overlaps, fixing positions and matching ridge pieces. Ask the factory to identify the intended roof application and supporting performance reports, rather than accepting a sample that merely looks similar.
The published fibre cement guide identifies BS EN 494 for corrugated sheets. Confirm with the relevant authority or a compliance adviser whether these construction products need a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Match the declaration and supporting reports to the actual sheet profile, material and coating ordered.
Write an asbestos-free requirement into the purchase specification and arrange batch-linked laboratory testing before shipment. Agree pallet support, edge protection and unloading arrangements so sheets do not arrive cracked or distorted.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a 20-foot container of asbestos-free corrugated roof sheets under 6811 81 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,500, so it is £2,300. 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
Material: check the asbestos test report identifies the sampled production batch and matches the supplier's material declaration.
Profile: check sheet dimensions, thickness, corrugation shape and fit against approved drawings and matching roof pieces.
Condition: check edges, fixing areas and corrugation crests for cracks, chips, warping and coating defects on arrival.
Documents: check the performance declaration, marking and supporting reports match the delivered product. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
A similar-looking corrugation can fail to match existing sheets or ridge pieces, leaving awkward overlaps and fixing positions. Poor curing can cause movement or cracks around fixings. Inadequate pallet support and handling can break edges or conceal cracks within a stack; check delivered sheets before installation.
An asbestos-free sales statement does not replace a batch-linked test report. A performance declaration for a different profile or coating does not establish the ordered product's performance. Resolve these mismatches before shipment, and agree how damaged or rejected sheets will be recorded and replaced.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on fibre cement roof sheets from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for corrugated and other asbestos-free sheets under heading 6811, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duties recorded.
Can I import roof sheets containing asbestos?
Confirm with HSE or your customs broker whether new roof sheets containing intentionally added asbestos may be imported into Great Britain under UK REACH. Placing on the market includes import.
What documents should I request for corrugated fibre cement sheets?
Request the declaration of performance, UKCA or CE marking details, supporting performance reports and batch-linked asbestos testing. The published fibre cement guide identifies BS EN 494 for corrugated sheets.
What should I check when the roof sheets arrive?
Check the profile and dimensions against approved drawings, trial-fit matching pieces, inspect for cracks and broken edges, and match batch identification to the test reports and performance documents.