Sourcing interlocking PVC floor tiles from China
Interlocking PVC floor tiles from China carry 6% UK duty across the relevant PVC lines, with no trade remedies recorded. For construction flooring, check the declaration of performance and supporting reports for the actual tile. Cambridge China Bridge sources interlocking PVC floor tiles.
UK duty on interlocking PVC floor tiles
Heading 3918 covers plastic floor coverings in rolls or tiles, as well as certain wall and ceiling coverings. This guide covers interlocking PVC floor tiles. Solid PVC tiles and tiles built on a PVC-treated support need separate classification checks. The supplied tariff file contains only the relevant PVC lines shown here. For wall coverings, see our guide to sourcing PVC wallcoverings. For polypropylene options, see sourcing interlocking polypropylene floor tiles.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, both PVC lines carried 6% duty for goods from China. Neither recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty, a suspension or an attached import control. The fluorinated greenhouse gas control recorded against other plastics is outside these PVC lines.
Give your customs broker the tile composition, cross-section and details of any supporting material to confirm the commodity code. For the wider flooring heading, see commercial sheet vinyl safety flooring. For stair coverings, see our guide to sourcing PVC stair treads. For tactile flooring, see our PVC tactile warning tile sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other PVC floor coverings, including solid interlocking tiles | 3918 10 90 90 | 6% | None |
| PVC floor tiles with a support impregnated, coated or covered with PVC | 3918 10 10 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the tile body and interlocking edges
State whether the tile is solid PVC or layered, its dimensions, total thickness, weight, surface texture and colour. Specify the interlocking profile, exposed or concealed joints, matching ramps and edge pieces. Identify pedestrian traffic, trolley wheels, vehicle use and cleaning chemicals so the factory can propose a construction and evidence suited to the intended floor.
For resilient construction flooring, obtain the declaration of performance and supporting reports covering fire reaction, slip resistance and formaldehyde release. Match the documents to the supplied construction and intended use. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Confirm with HSE or a qualified chemical compliance adviser which UK REACH restrictions apply to phthalates in the tile, and ask about the formulation and recycled PVC content.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of interlocking PVC floor tiles for a commercial floor under 3918 10 90 90, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 6% is £552. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,752, so it is £1,950.40. Import taxes total £2,502.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £552 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Joint fit: assemble production tiles from different cartons and batches. Check that edges engage without cracking, gaps or raised seams, and that ramps fit the same profile.
Tile body: measure dimensions and thickness against the agreed specification. Check flatness, underside moulding, surface texture and colour against the approved sample.
Use performance: review indentation, wheel-loading and heat-stability evidence for the intended application. Arrange quality inspection around the agreed acceptance checks.
Arrival condition: inspect corners and locking tabs for transport damage. Check cartons are dry, tiles lie flat after acclimatisation, and batch identification matches the packing list and retained samples.
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What goes wrong
Poorly matched edge profiles leave gaps or proud seams. Brittle tabs break during installation, while a soft tile body can retain wheel impressions. Heat movement can lift edges or distort the assembled floor. Test the proposed installation with the supplier's instructions before approving production.
Colour and texture can vary between batches, making replacement tiles conspicuous. A report for a different formulation does not establish the performance of the delivered tile. Keep an approved sample, record batch identity and agree how changes to the formulation or mould will be reviewed.
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 interlocking PVC floor tiles from China?
The relevant PVC lines carried 6% duty on the supplied tariff read date, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the line against the tile's construction.
Do interlocking PVC floor tiles need performance documents?
For resilient construction flooring, obtain the declaration of performance and reports covering the supplied tile. Check fire reaction, slip resistance and formaldehyde release against the intended use.
How do I check that the tiles will fit together?
Assemble production tiles from different cartons and batches with the matching ramps. Look for broken tabs, open gaps, raised seams and inconsistent engagement.
What should I specify for a workshop floor?
Specify the tile body, thickness, surface and joint profile, plus expected wheel loads and cleaning chemicals. Ask for evidence relevant to that use rather than accepting a general heavy-duty description.