Sourcing marble mosaic tiles from China
Marble mosaic tiles from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant supplied tariff lines. For building use, confirm with the relevant authority whether a designated standard applies and what declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking are needed. Check individual piece size, finish and backing before agreeing the code. Cambridge China Bridge sources marble mosaic tiles.
Zero duty on the relevant marble lines
Heading 6802 covers worked building stone and natural-stone mosaic cubes and similar articles, whether or not on a backing. The small-piece line requires the largest face to fit inside a square with a side of less than 7 cm. This describes the enclosing square's side, not a surface-area limit. Give your broker the individual piece dimensions and photographs of the assembled sheet.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate, normally at 20%. See UK import duty and VAT. Solid wood crates and pallets still need compliant wood packaging.
The table includes conditional alternatives for larger, simply cut, otherwise worked or hand-carved marble components. These are not interchangeable codes for ordinary mosaic sheets. Confirm the commodity code against size and processing. For wider building-stone coverage, see travertine wall tiles.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small marble mosaic pieces meeting the face-size condition, backed or loose | 6802 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Larger marble pieces, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface | 6802 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other worked marble pieces outside the small-piece line | 6802 91 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Hand-made carved marble components outside the small-piece line | 6802 91 00 10 | 0% | None |
Specify the stone, pattern and backing
Specify the marble type and quarry, approved colour range, veining, finish, thickness, piece shape, sheet dimensions and joint spacing. State whether pieces are loose, mesh-backed or face-mounted. Approve connected sheets as well as a loose sample so the sheet boundary does not interrupt the pattern.
For building use, confirm with the relevant authority whether a designated standard applies and whether a declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking are needed. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Match the declared product and intended use to your order; discuss water absorption and slip resistance for floor applications through testing and certification.
Ask the installer to trial the actual backing, adhesive and grout combination. Check that mesh adhesive does not obstruct bonding and that backing stays attached during handling. Record the approved sample, acceptable repairs and packing method in the purchase specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative palletised stock order of mesh-backed marble mosaic sheets under 6802 10 00 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
Stone and finish: compare colour and veining with the approved range; inspect for chips, hairline cracks, visible filler and uneven polish.
Sheet geometry: measure pieces, thickness and joint spacing; dry-lay adjoining sheets to check pattern continuity, flatness and conspicuous sheet boundaries.
Backing and documents: check loose pieces, excess backing adhesive and sheet distortion; match the supplied performance declaration and marking to the ordered product where applicable.
Arrival and packing: open cartons from across the delivery, photograph breakage and keep batch identities separate. Check bracing and legible ISPM15 marks on solid wood packing; marked compliant packing needs no phytosanitary or treatment certificate. Arrange these checks through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A showroom sample can hide the colour variation across a production batch. Uneven joints and distorted backing make sheet outlines visible after installation, while excess backing adhesive can leave too little exposed stone for bonding. Dry-lay production sheets and trial installation before accepting the batch.
Marble can stain or etch, and a polished finish alone does not establish suitability for a wet floor. Agree the intended use and cleaning instructions with the installer. Poor carton support can turn edge chips into widespread transit damage, so compare arrival condition with dispatch photographs before mixing batches or installing.
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 marble mosaic tiles from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty on all relevant marble lines, with no listed trade remedies. Import VAT is separate, normally at 20%.
Does a mesh-backed mosaic sheet qualify for the small-tile code?
Backing does not exclude it. Check whether the largest face of each piece fits inside a square with a side of less than 7 cm, and confirm classification with your broker.
Do marble mosaic tiles need CE or UKCA marking?
Check that the documents cover the actual product and intended use.
How do I avoid visible joins between mosaic sheets?
Approve connected production sheets, specify joint spacing and dry-lay sheets from different cartons. Check backing distortion and trial the installation before accepting the batch.