Sourcing original screenprints from China
Original screenprints from China qualifying under heading 9702 carry 0% UK duty across the supplied tariff lines. Original prints must be limited impressions from plates executed by the artist; a signature alone does not establish this. Cambridge China Bridge sources original screenprints.
Original screenprints: 0% UK duty
Heading 9702 covers original engravings, prints and lithographs. For contemporary original screenprints on paper, check commodity code 9702 90 00 80. The table shows buying formats sharing this commodity line. Keep evidence of the artist and production method to distinguish originals from printed reproductions. See the original lithographs guide for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions listed. The tariff attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Ask your customs broker to confirm its applicability to your shipment. Imports into Great Britain from China must comply with China's export licensing regime; ask the supplier for evidence of the export position.
Qualifying works of art receive a reduced import VAT valuation, giving an effective rate of 5%; printed reproductions do not qualify as original art. Use the commodity code guide to confirm classification from the production records and description. See UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original monochrome screenprints on paper, unframed | 9702 90 00 80 | 0% | None |
Specify the screenprint and its edition
Agree the artist, title, paper type, sheet and image dimensions, ink colours, finish, edition size, individual edition numbers and signature position. Ask how the screens and stencils were prepared, who printed the edition and what production records will accompany it. Match the invoice and authenticity certificate to each work.
Approve a physical print for colour, opacity, registration and paper appearance. Agree which variations are intentional and which are unacceptable. Specify flat packing, acid-free interleaving, rigid protection and moisture protection. For mounted or framed works, agree the mount, glazing and corner protection.
You cannot copy or use copyright material without permission. Before commissioning further impressions or using artwork in sales material, agree the intended uses with the rights holder.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 unframed original screenprints on paper; illustrative order 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, edition number and certificate to the invoice and dispatch photographs.
Print: compare colour and opacity with the approved print; check registration, missing ink, smudges and unintended marks.
Paper: check for creases, tears, dents, staining, dampness and abrasion, including beneath mounts where accessible.
Packing: check flat supports, interleaving and moisture protection; photograph damage before removing packaging. Use the inspection guide to prepare the arrival record.
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What goes wrong
A supplier describes a reproduction as an original because it is signed or numbered, while the production records do not explain how it was made. Obtain those records before shipment and resolve classification with your broker. Missing or inconsistent certificates make it harder to substantiate the purchase.
Misregistered colours, ink transfer between sheets and crushed corners can make an edition unsuitable for sale. Approve the actual paper and printing result, agree acceptable variation and photograph each work before packing. Record arrival defects against the dispatch photographs.
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 screenprints from China?
The supplied tariff lines under heading 9702 carry 0% duty for goods from China. Contemporary qualifying paper screenprints fall within 9702 90 00 80, subject to classification confirmation.
What import VAT applies to original screenprints?
Qualifying works of art receive a reduced import VAT valuation, giving an effective rate of 5%. Keep production and originality records to support the treatment.
Does a signed screenprint automatically count as original art?
A signature alone does not establish originality. Obtain records showing limited impressions from plates executed by the artist, together with the edition details and authenticity certificate.
What should I check when screenprints arrive?
Match certificates and edition numbers, then check colour registration, ink transfer, paper creases and dampness. Photograph packaging and any damage before unpacking further.