Sourcing gypsum raised-floor panels from China
Gypsum raised-floor panels classified under heading 6809 carry 0% UK duty from China. For products covered by a designated construction-product standard, confirm declaration of performance and marking requirements with the relevant authority. Check the exact panel and support system before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources gypsum raised-floor panels.
UK duty and panel classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6809 covers articles of plaster or compositions based on plaster. All listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded. The table repeats the other-board line for different panel configurations; these are not separate tariff subheadings.
The board lines carry waste import and export controls. Waste shipped under notification cannot move until the competent authorities of dispatch, destination and transit have consented. For a shipment from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the waste control applies and which procedure is required, especially for reclaimed panels or broken material.
Give your broker the core composition, reinforcement, facing, edge treatment and details of any separately supplied supports. Confirm the commodity code for the actual goods rather than using the supplier's code for an entire floor package. See the wider plaster-products guide for other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unfaced gypsum fibre raised-floor panels | 6809 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the panel and its support system
Specify the gypsum core and reinforcement, panel dimensions, thickness, squareness, edge seal, underside and finished surface. Agree the pedestal head, stringer arrangement, finished floor height, service openings and lifting method. Ask for load and deflection reports matching the ordered panel and support arrangement, including any cut-outs.
Check the scope of the applicable construction-product standard before choosing the marking route. For products covered by a designated standard, confirm declaration of performance and marking requirements with the relevant authority. Products outside or partly outside a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document. Ask for documents identifying the exact product and intended use; agree fire-performance evidence for the core, facing and assembly.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A palletised batch of gypsum fibre raised-floor panels for a small office fit-out (illustrative) under 6809 19 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,900, so it is £1,980. 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
Geometry: measure sampled panels against the agreed drawing, check flatness and squareness, and assemble adjoining panels on the intended supports to check gaps, rocking and removal.
Core and facing: inspect edges and service openings for cracks, crumbling and exposed reinforcement; check facing adhesion, edge seals and signs of damp.
Performance documents: match the model, thickness, facing, support arrangement and cut-outs to the load reports and agreed fire evidence. Check the declaration of performance and marking where applicable.
Arrival and packing: photograph pallets before unloading, inspect for shifted loads and crushed corners, and separate wet or damaged panels. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the checks before dispatch.
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What goes wrong
A panel can match the drawing yet rock on a different pedestal head. Changes to thickness, facing, stringers or service openings can also leave the supplied test report describing a different assembly. Approve a trial assembly using the intended supports and record the configuration in the order.
Moisture, pallet movement and handling damage can leave softened cores, chipped bearing edges and loose facings. Record damage before installation and compare production panels with the approved sample. Resolve unexplained document or construction changes before accepting the batch.
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 gypsum raised-floor panels from China?
Panels classified under heading 6809 carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded.
Do gypsum raised-floor panels need CE or UKCA marking?
Check the exact product's standard scope. For products covered by a designated construction-product standard, confirm declaration of performance and marking requirements with the relevant authority; ask for evidence matching the ordered panel.
Does a panel load report cover my pedestal system?
Check the report's support arrangement, panel thickness, facing and openings against your order. Ask for matching evidence and approve a trial assembly before production.
What should I check when the panels arrive?
Check pallet damage, damp, cracked cores, chipped bearing edges, facing adhesion and dimensions. Trial-fit panels on the intended supports and record defects before installation.