Sourcing flocked paper wallpaper from China
Flocked paper wallpaper within heading 4814 carries 0% UK duty from China across the supplied tariff lines, with no listed trade remedies. For paper made from virgin wood fibre, confirm applicable timber-source due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority before first placing it on the Great Britain market. Cambridge China Bridge sources flocked paper wallpaper.
Duty and classification for flocked paper wallpaper
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 4814 covers wallpaper and similar wallcoverings and paper window transparencies. The supplied lines all carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Only the supplied tariff lines are shown. Their descriptions distinguish decorated plastic faces, transparent protective plastic coatings and other paper wallcoverings.
For flocked paper wallpaper, give your broker a sample and a breakdown of the paper backing, adhesive, flock fibres and any plastic layer. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. A textile wallcovering may classify elsewhere. See the wider wallpaper guide for other constructions.
The tariff also lists a DCMS Export Licence control. Official guidance says there are no cultural-goods licensing requirements for imports into Great Britain. Ask your broker to confirm how the listed control and its document waiver apply to your transaction. For paper made from virgin wood fibre, confirm applicable timber-source due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority before first placing it on the Great Britain market; obtain the pulp source, species and country of harvest.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other paper wallcoverings, subject to confirmation of the flocked construction | 4814 90 70 00 | 0% | None |
| Surface-decorated paper wallcoverings with a transparent protective plastic coat | 4814 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Paper wallcoverings faced with a decorated plastic layer | 4814 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the flock, backing and hanging method
Agree the paper backing, flock fibre material, pile height, density, colour and direction, adhesive system and printed ground. Keep an approved physical sample for the raised pattern and background. Specify roll width, length, pattern repeat, match type and hanging direction. Ask the factory to demonstrate the intended paste and hanging method on the actual construction.
Agree cleaning instructions that suit the flocked surface and verify any washability claim. For construction use, request the declared wallcovering performance and a fire report matching the backing, flock and installation substrate. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied to the Great Britain market. Match the documents to the supplied product through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 3,500 rolls of flocked paper wallpaper, subject to code confirmation under 4814 90 70 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £43,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £43,500, so it is £8,700. 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
Flock: compare coverage, pile direction and raised-pattern edges with the approved sample; check for bare patches, loose fibres, adhesive marks and flattened pile.
Shade and match: compare adjacent drops under consistent lighting, check background and flock colour, verify batch labels and hang matching drops to assess seams.
Backing and hanging: measure roll dimensions and pattern repeat; paste and dry sample drops to check expansion, shrinkage, curling and separation of the flock from the backing.
Packing and arrival: inspect cartons for moisture and crushing, unroll samples to check pressure marks and damaged edges, and reconcile design and batch labels with the packing list.
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What goes wrong
A flocked pattern can look different when adjacent drops are hung in different directions. Uneven flock coverage, weak adhesive and rubbing during packing can leave pale patches or loose fibres. Mixed production batches can create visible shade changes across a room.
Paste on the pile can stain the raised surface, while backing movement can open seams after drying. Agree a hanging trial and cleaning trial before approving production, and use packing that protects the pile and roll edges. Record defects against the approved sample.
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 flocked paper wallpaper from China?
The supplied heading 4814 lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code from the actual backing and surface layers.
Which commodity code should I use for flocked paper wallpaper?
Ask your broker to assess 4814 90 70 00 against a sample and layer breakdown. Plastic-faced or protective-coated constructions have separate lines; textile wallcoverings may classify elsewhere.
Can flocked wallpaper be washed?
Agree the cleaning method with the factory and test it on the supplied construction. Do not assume that cleaning instructions for smooth wallpaper suit a raised flock surface.
Do timber rules apply to the paper backing?
The supplied guidance includes paper within the broad scope of timber products. For paper made from virgin wood fibre, confirm applicable timber-source due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority before first placing it on the Great Britain market; ask for the pulp source, species and country of harvest.