Sourcing granite kitchen worktops from China

UK duty on granite worktops

Heading 6802 covers worked natural building stone and articles made from it. For kitchen worktops, distinguish simply sawn granite blanks from polished or otherwise worked slabs and finished articles. This guide covers natural granite; see the wider marble and granite guide for other stone products.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, all the granite lines shown carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Standard import VAT is 20%; see import duty and VAT.

Polished granite that is not carved and has a net weight of 10 kg or more is described by 6802 93 10 00. Give your broker the material, processing, net weight and finished article description rather than relying on the supplier's code. Confirm the commodity code before shipment.

Specify slabs, joints and cut-outs

Name the quarry and stone type, and approve photographs of the actual slabs or an agreed colour range. Specify thickness and tolerances, polished or honed finish, edge profile, sealing, joint positions and matching splashbacks. Record which slab belongs to each kitchen so adjoining pieces match.

Approve fabrication drawings against the kitchen template and the actual sink, hob and tap specifications. Mark cut-out positions, exposed edges and drainage grooves. Agree which work is completed at the factory and how each finished piece is identified.

Employers must assess and control risks from stone dust exposure. Accurate factory fabrication helps avoid alterations during installation, but any UK cutting or grinding still needs a dust-control plan.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a container of polished granite kitchen worktop slabs under 6802 93 10 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £21,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,500, so it is £4,300. 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 and colour: compare actual slabs with the approved selection, check quarry and stone identity, and place adjoining pieces together to assess colour and veining.

Dimensions and fabrication: measure thickness, length, width and squareness against the drawings; check sink, hob and tap openings, edge profiles and splashbacks against the templates.

Surface and repairs: inspect under raking light for cracks, filled fissures, chips and uneven polish; record repairs and compare the finish with the approved sample.

Packing and arrival: check braced slab racks, protected edges, piece labels and crate condition during quality inspection. Solid wood packing for Great Britain must meet international phytosanitary standards; check treatment marks and photograph damage before unpacking.

What goes wrong

Slabs from different blocks can make adjoining worktops look mismatched. Filled cracks may be difficult to see under polish, while incorrect templates leave sink openings, joints or splashbacks in the wrong place. Approve actual slabs and fabrication drawings before cutting, and inspect finished pieces before crating.

Poorly braced racks allow heavy pieces to crack in transit. Plan unloading and storage before dispatch, and compare arriving pieces with the packing list and inspection photographs. A damaged cut-out or incorrect opening can turn a finished import into a local refabrication job.

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.