Sourcing natural stone stair treads from China
Natural stone stair treads from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 6802 lines. Confirm with the relevant construction-product authority whether a designated construction product standard applies and whether a declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking are needed before supply in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources natural stone stair treads.
UK duty on natural stone stair treads
Heading 6802 covers worked monumental or building stone other than slate, including natural stone stair treads. The relevant lines distinguish stone type, simply cut or sawn surfaces, further working and, for some lines, net weight. See the marble and granite stone guide for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all relevant lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. Packing requirements remain relevant even where the stone itself has no listed control.
Confirm the commodity code using the stone identity, finish, edge working and net weight of the article. A polished tread with a shaped nosing should not be described as merely sawn without checking its classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble or travertine treads, simply cut or sawn | 6802 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Granite treads, simply cut or sawn | 6802 23 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other worked marble or travertine treads | 6802 91 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other worked calcareous stone treads | 6802 92 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Worked granite treads, not carved, net weight 10 kg or more | 6802 93 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other worked stone treads, not carved, net weight 10 kg or more | 6802 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the stone, nosing and walking surface
Name the quarry and stone type, and approve a colour and veining range from the intended production block. Provide drawings showing tread length, depth, thickness, nosing profile, exposed ends, grooves and any matching risers. Agree dimensional tolerances and the numbering sequence for each staircase.
Specify indoor or outdoor use, the walking-surface finish and any sealer. Ask for slip-performance evidence for the supplied finish, including the expected wet conditions. Agree flexural strength, water absorption and outdoor frost-performance checks with the project specifier rather than accepting a report for a different stone or finish.
Confirm with the relevant construction-product authority whether a designated construction product standard applies and whether the treads need a declaration of performance and CE or UKCA marking for supply in Great Britain. CE marking continues to be recognised for construction products. Match the documentation to the stone, product type and intended use; arrange testing and certification checks before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One container of worked granite stair treads, each weighing 10 kg or more; illustrative order under 6802 93 10 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
Dimensions: measure length, depth, thickness, flatness and squareness against the approved drawings. Check nosing shape, groove position and exposed-end finishing, then dry-lay a staircase sequence.
Stone and finish: compare the batch with the approved colour range. Inspect faces, undersides and nosings under raking light for cracks, filled fissures, chips and inconsistent surface treatment.
Performance and documents: match stone identity and finish to the test reports and, where applicable, the declaration of performance and conformity marking. Check that outdoor-use evidence covers the intended exposure.
Packing and arrival: check separators, nosing protection, bracing and staircase labels during quality inspection. Solid wood packaging for China-to-Great Britain shipments must meet the applicable wood-packaging requirements; check treatment marks. Photograph damaged crates and inspect the enclosed treads before installation.
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What goes wrong
A polished sample can conceal filled fissures or make an unsuitable walking surface look acceptable. Different blocks can leave adjacent steps visibly mismatched. Incorrect thickness, out-of-square cuts or inconsistent nosings complicate installation, while chipped front edges are difficult to conceal.
Approve the actual finish and stone range, inspect the production batch and keep replacement pieces matched to the staircase. Specify protection around projecting nosings and prevent movement inside crates. Ask the installer to check the delivered sequence against the drawings before fixing the treads.
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 stair treads from China?
The relevant heading 6802 lines carried 0% duty on the supplied tariff read date, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for the stone type and processing.
Do natural stone stair treads need CE or UKCA marking?
Confirm with the relevant construction-product authority whether a designated construction product standard applies and whether a declaration of performance and appropriate marking are needed. CE marking continues to be recognised in Great Britain.
Can I use polished stone treads outside?
Do not approve them from appearance alone. Ask for slip-performance evidence for the supplied finish in expected wet conditions, plus frost and water-absorption evidence for the intended exposure.
How do I avoid mismatched stone steps?
Approve a colour and veining range from the production block, number pieces by staircase and dry-lay the sequence before packing. Keep replacement pieces matched to that batch.