Sourcing metallic wallpaper from China
Metallic-surfaced paper wallpaper from China carries 0% UK duty across the supplied heading 4814 lines, with no listed trade remedies. Importers placing paper made from virgin wood fibre on the GB market must carry out timber due diligence. Specify the facing and protective coating before classification. Cambridge China Bridge sources metallic-surfaced paper wallpaper.
Duty and classification for metallic wallpaper
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, all supplied heading 4814 lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The heading covers wallpaper and similar wallcoverings and window transparencies of paper. Metallic appearance alone does not describe the construction: distinguish metallic ink, metal foil and a decorated plastic facing.
The supplied tariff record attaches a DCMS Export Licence control to every line. Official guidance states that importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain has no licensing requirement. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the listed export control and any document waiver apply to the shipment; do not treat the tariff label as an import licence instruction.
Give your broker the layer composition, coating details and a physical sample to confirm the commodity code. The table distinguishes possible constructions and repeats the other-paper line for different finishes; it does not establish classification from a sales name. For the wider heading, see paper-backed vinyl wallpaper.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other paper wallcoverings: metallic surface without a clear plastic coat | 4814 90 70 00 | 0% | None |
| Surface-decorated paper wallpaper with a transparent protective plastic coat | 4814 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Paper wallpaper faced with a metallic-effect decorated plastic layer | 4814 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the metallic facing and paper backing
State whether the finish is metal foil, metallised film or metallic ink, and identify each paper, adhesive and protective layer. Agree roll width and length, pattern repeat, hanging direction, embossing, gloss and cleaning instructions. Approve a physical sample under the lighting intended for the room, and retain it for production comparison.
Paper is among the products covered by the UK Timber Regulations. Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker which due-diligence requirements apply to the importer first placing paper made from virgin wood fibre on the GB market. Ask for the fibre mix, tree species, country of harvest and supply-chain evidence. Confirm separately whether bamboo-based or recovered waste-paper products are excluded.
For construction use, obtain the declared wallcovering performance and a fire report matching the actual facing, backing and installation substrate. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the GB market. Agree how the supplier will support its cleaning and durability claims before approving labels.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 150 rolls of metallic-surfaced paper wallpaper; order and values illustrative under 4814 90 70 00, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £233 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,733. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,733, so it is £746.60. 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
Finish: compare production rolls with the approved sample under diffuse and angled light; check scratches, pinholes, creases, patchy metal coverage and changes in gloss.
Batch and match: check design and batch identification, measure roll dimensions and repeat, and hang adjacent drops in the stated direction to compare shade, reflection and seams.
Bond and cleaning: trial the recommended paste and preparation, inspect after drying for bubbles or lifting, and test the stated cleaning method for metallic transfer or coating damage.
Arrival condition: inspect carton corners, roll edges, cores and moisture damage; keep batch identities linked to cartons and set damaged rolls aside before hanging.
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What goes wrong
Metallic reflections can make a seam or slight shade difference conspicuous. Mixed batches, inconsistent hanging direction and damaged edges can spoil a wall even when the pattern matches. A photograph is a weak approval reference for a reflective finish; compare physical samples and a trial hanging.
A protective coating can change gloss and cleaning behaviour, while a changed backing or adhesive can affect bonding. Record the approved layer construction and ask the factory to clear substitutions before production. Keep fire evidence tied to that construction rather than accepting a report for a different wallpaper.
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 metallic paper wallpaper from China?
The supplied heading 4814 lines carry 0% duty for China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspensions. Classification depends on the actual facing and coating.
Which commodity code covers metallic wallpaper?
Confirm the complete layer construction. Other paper wallcoverings, transparently plastic-coated decorated paper and decorated plastic-faced paper have separate lines. Metallic appearance alone is insufficient.
Do timber rules apply to the paper backing?
Paper is among the products covered by the UK Timber Regulations. Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker which timber due-diligence requirements apply to the importer first placing paper made from virgin wood fibre on the GB market. Ask the mill for fibre-source and supply-chain evidence.
How do I check metallic wallpaper samples?
Compare physical samples under the intended lighting, then hang adjacent drops with the proposed paste. Check reflection, shade, seams, lifting and metallic transfer during the stated cleaning method.