Sourcing original lithographs from China
Original lithographs from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant age categories. Qualifying works of art receive an effective 5% import VAT rate; limited production and the exclusion of mechanical or photomechanical processes matter. Check how the artist made the printing surface before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources original lithographs.
Duty on original lithographs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 14 November 2026, heading 9702 covers original engravings, prints and lithographs. The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% duty for goods from China throughout the heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension. The table separates colour and monochrome lithographs within the same commodity line.
The snapshot attaches a DCMS Export Licence control to every line. Official guidance says there are no cultural-object import licensing requirements for Great Britain, but imports from China must comply with China's export licensing regime. Check with the licensing authorities in China and ask your customs broker to confirm the relevance of the attached export control.
Qualifying works of art receive an effective 5% import VAT rate. Keep production and age evidence, and confirm the code using finding your commodity code. The original etchings guide covers another print family within the wider heading. Use the import duty and VAT guide for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original monochrome lithographs, 100 years old or less | 9702 90 00 80 | 0% | None |
| Original lithographs, over 100 but not over 200 years old | 9702 10 00 21 | 0% | None |
| Original lithographs, more than 200 years old | 9702 10 00 11 | 0% | None |
Specify the printing surface and edition
Ask how the artist made the image on the stone or plate, and obtain production photographs and a written process description. Agree the artist, title, paper, sheet and image dimensions, colours, edition size, impression number, signature and authenticity documents. Specify whether prints arrive unframed or mounted, and agree flat packing with acid-free interleaving and rigid protection.
For reduced import VAT valuation, lithographs must be produced in limited numbers and exclude mechanical or photomechanical processes. Businesses operating as art market participants under the money laundering regulations must register with HMRC; check whether your buying or selling activity falls within that category.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 original lithographs for a gallery under 9702 90 00 80, 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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
Identity: match the artist, title, signature and impression number to the invoice and edition records.
Printing: compare colour registration, ink coverage and unwanted marks against the approved impression; record agreed variations between impressions.
Paper: check margins, tears, creases, staining, mould and surface abrasion under consistent lighting.
Packing: check interleaving, rigid boards and protection from moisture; photograph condition before dispatch and on arrival. See quality inspection explained.
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What goes wrong
A supplier describes a signed reproduction as an original lithograph, but the production records do not establish how the printing surface was made. A signature or edition number alone cannot resolve that gap. Obtain process evidence before agreeing the customs description or claiming reduced import VAT valuation.
Colour misregistration, trimmed margins and rubbed ink can make an impression unacceptable to your gallery even when its documents match. Rolled packing can leave creases, while damp packaging can stain the paper. Agree acceptance criteria and compare arrival photographs with the condition record made before packing.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on original lithographs from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% duty across the relevant lines of heading 9702, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does a signed reproduction qualify as an original lithograph?
A signature alone does not establish the production process. For reduced import VAT valuation, the prints must be limited in number and exclude mechanical or photomechanical processes.
What documents should I request for original lithographs?
Request the artist's identity, title, edition records, signature details, authenticity documents and a production description. For older works, also request provenance and age evidence.
What import VAT applies to original lithographs?
Qualifying works of art receive an effective 5% import VAT rate. Confirm eligibility from the production evidence rather than relying on the supplier's description.