Sourcing natural stone coping stones from China
Natural stone coping stones from China under heading 6802 carry 0% UK duty across the relevant lines. Confirm whether the applicable construction-product standard requires a declaration of performance and conformity marking before sale. Specify the wall profile, drip grooves and outdoor performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources natural stone coping stones.
Duty on natural stone coping stones
Heading 6802 covers worked monumental or building stone, except slate, and related articles. For coping stones, distinguish simply cut or sawn blanks from pieces with further working, such as profiled edges or drip grooves. Stone type, processing and, for some lines, individual net weight affect classification. The table gives candidate lines rather than a code determined solely by the name coping stone.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines under this heading carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty; see UK import duty and VAT.
Give your broker the stone identification, finished drawing, manufacturing description and individual net weight when confirming the commodity code. For related products within the wider heading, see limestone window sills.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite coping blanks, simply cut or sawn with flat or even surfaces | 6802 23 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other stone coping blanks, simply cut or sawn with flat or even surfaces | 6802 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Worked limestone coping stones, other than hand-carved | 6802 92 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Worked granite copings, not carved, each weighing 10 kg or more | 6802 93 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Worked other-stone copings, not carved, each weighing 10 kg or more | 6802 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other worked stone coping stones, other than hand-carved | 6802 99 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the coping profile and outdoor performance
Identify the quarry and stone type, and approve a colour-range sample. Draw the wall width, overhang, fall, edge profile and underside drip grooves. Include corners, ends, pier caps and joint positions in the cutting schedule. Agree dimensional tolerances, exposed-face finish and whether filling or sealing is acceptable.
Ask for water absorption, flexural strength and frost-resistance reports for the proposed stone. Confirm whether a designated construction-product standard applies to the coping and intended use. Where it applies, check the declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking, as described in the published stone guide. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Arrange testing and certification checks before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative stock order of crated limestone coping stones with drip grooves under 6802 92 00 90, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,800, so it is £3,960. 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
Profile: measure length, width, thickness, fall and overhang against the drawing. Check drip-groove position and continuity, including corners and ends.
Stone and finish: compare dry pieces with the approved colour range. Examine exposed faces and groove edges for cracks, chips, filled fissures and inconsistent tooling.
Fit and performance: dry-fit adjoining pieces and corner units. Match test reports to the supplied stone and finish, and compare results with the project specification.
Packing and arrival: check separators, bracing, crate labels and piece identification. Solid wood packaging used to import into Great Britain must meet international phytosanitary packaging standards. Check treatment marks and photograph damage before distributing pieces, using the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A sample can look acceptable while the delivered batch varies across a long wall. Mixed stone batches, chipped exposed edges and filled cracks are common inspection concerns. Incorrect falls, insufficient overhang or misplaced drip grooves can leave water tracking back towards the wall face. Review the profile with the installer before releasing the cutting schedule.
Corners and end pieces may arrive with the wrong orientation or finish, while unsupported stones can crack inside apparently sound crates. Dry-fit the special pieces before shipment, label their positions and inspect beneath wrapping on arrival. Agree how damaged or mismatched pieces will be identified and replaced.
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 natural stone coping stones from China?
The relevant heading 6802 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff data. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed. Import VAT is separate.
Do natural stone coping stones need CE or UKCA marking?
Confirm the standard applicable to the product and intended use. Where a designated standard applies, check the declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking. CE marking remains available in Great Britain.
What should I specify for coping-stone drip grooves?
Show their position and profile on the underside drawing, relative to the wall face and overhang. Include corner and end details, then check the grooves against the approved sample.
How do I check whether the stone is suitable outdoors?
Request water absorption, flexural strength and frost-resistance reports for the proposed stone. Have the project designer assess the results against the intended exposure and installation.