Sourcing hemp-cement boards from China

UK duty on hemp-cement building boards

Heading 6808 covers panels, boards, tiles, blocks and similar articles of vegetable fibre, straw or wood waste agglomerated with cement, plaster or other mineral binders. For hemp-cement building boards, obtain a composition statement showing the hemp component and cement binder.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied commodity line 6808 00 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The extract lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or import controls. It contains no separate hemp-board subdivision.

Confirm the commodity code using the composition and product description before ordering. See the wider mineral-bound board guide for other products within this heading.

Specify the hemp component, binder and intended use

State whether the hemp component is fibre or woody stem particles, and record the cement binder, additives and any facing or coating. Agree length, width, thickness, density, edge profile and tolerances. Describe the intended use, substrate, fixings and exposure to moisture. Ask for fire, thermal or acoustic reports matching the board composition, thickness and installation proposed.

Ask the supplier to identify the applicable construction-product standard or technical assessment. Products outside or partly outside a designated standard may use a technical assessment document. CE marking requires a harmonised standard or a European Technical Assessment; manufacturers using that route must draw up a declaration of performance. Arrange a review through testing and certification before approving the documents.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,500 square metres of hemp-cement building boards under 6808 00 00 00, invoiced at £13,500 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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

Identity and documents: match board identification, composition, thickness and intended use to the approved sample and performance documents. Check the basis for any CE or UKCA marking.

Dimensions and density: measure sampled boards against the agreed tolerances, check flatness and squareness, and compare mass with the specified density.

Moisture and condition: check agreed moisture acceptance criteria, staining, mould, cracks, crumbling edges and separation between the hemp material, binder and any facing.

Packing and arrival: check flat stacking, edge protection and weather protection before shipment. Photograph wet wrapping and damaged pallets on arrival, and record affected board batches. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A supplier may offer a fire or insulation report for a different hemp mixture, binder, thickness or mounting arrangement. Match the report to the ordered board rather than accepting a generic certificate. Check replacement samples whenever the supplier changes the composition or facing.

Damp packing, unsupported stacks and unprotected corners can leave boards stained, warped or broken. Separate damaged stock and record batch details before installation. Importers must not supply products in Great Britain if they have reason to believe the products fail the applicable construction-product requirements.

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.