Sourcing granite tactile paving slabs from China

Zero duty on granite tactile paving slabs

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 October 2026, heading 6801 covers setts, curbstones and flagstones of natural stone, except slate. Granite tactile paving slabs classified under 6801 00 00 00 carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate.

The table shows slab variants sharing the same commodity code, rather than separate tariff lines. See the stone paving, setts and kerbs guide for the wider heading.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, intended use, drawings and surface finish. Stone worked beyond the scope of paving flags can fall under heading 6802, so do not classify solely from the supplier's description.

Specify the tactile profile and granite

Attach the project drawing showing the tactile pattern, raised-feature shape, height, spacing, orientation, slab dimensions and tolerances. Approve colour and surface finish against retained samples. For corduroy surfaces, Department for Transport guidance describes rounded bars running across the direction people walk. Have the project designer confirm the selected pattern and layout before ordering.

Specify the granite name, quarry source, thickness, edge finish and acceptable colour variation. Confirm with the relevant construction-products authority whether BS EN 1341 applies to the external natural stone slabs and whether a declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking are needed. CE marking continues to be recognised for construction products in Great Britain. Ask for declared flexural strength, slip resistance, water absorption and freeze-thaw performance for the stone and finish being supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 25 tonnes of palletised granite tactile paving slabs; order, FOB value and freight are illustrative under 6801 00 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,500, so it is £2,500. 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

Profile: measure raised features and slab dimensions against the approved drawing; dry-lay samples to check alignment across joints.

Stone: compare with the retained sample in daylight; check cracks, veins, rust spots, chipped projections and variation in surface finish.

Documents: match the declaration of performance, marking and test reports to the supplied stone and finish. Arrange testing and certification checks before shipment.

Arrival: inspect pallet damage, strapping and edge protection before unpacking; record broken slabs and damaged tactile features. Use the quality inspection guide to define the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A sample can have the correct tactile profile while production has flatter projections, inconsistent spacing or chipped bars. Different thicknesses make adjacent slabs difficult to lay evenly. Ask for production measurements and photographs against the approved drawing, rather than accepting a sample photograph as evidence for the shipment.

A changed quarry source can bring colour variation, staining or weaker stone. Surface finishing can damage tactile features or change slip performance. Marking and performance documents do not replace checking the actual profile. Keep the approved sample, drawing and batch inspection record together so discrepancies can be traced.

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.