Sourcing plaster pilasters from China

Zero duty on decorative plaster pilasters

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6809 covers articles of plaster or compositions based on plaster. Decorative plaster pilasters fall within the other articles description, code 6809 90 00 00. The table shows product variants sharing this tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes.

The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control on this line. The board lines elsewhere in the heading have waste import controls. For a shipment classified there, the UK Trade Tariff attaches the control and the importer should confirm the requirement for goods from China with their customs broker.

Confirm the binder, reinforcement, decorative form and supplied components through finding your commodity code. For the wider product family, see decorative plaster columns. The worked order values are illustrative; see UK import duty and VAT when budgeting.

Specify the wall profile and matching components

Specify decorative wall-mounted pilasters, including whether the shaft is solid or hollow, its plaster composition and reinforcement, overall height, face width, projection and rear fixing surface. Supply profile drawings for plain or fluted faces, capitals and bases. Agree joint positions, paint preparation, dimensional tolerances and an assembled approval sample.

Decorative plaster sold to consumers must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Agree fixing instructions suited to the component weight and intended wall substrate. For construction use, establish the applicable standard or technical assessment before agreeing marking and performance documents. Products not covered or not fully covered by a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of plain plaster pilasters for a decorating merchant under 6809 90 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,900, so it is £1,980. 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: compare the face, flute spacing, relief and projection with the approved drawing and sample; check that capitals and bases align with the shaft.

Assembly: dry-fit matching components on a flat surface; check joint gaps, rear flatness, straightness and the agreed fixing details.

Surface: check arrival samples for cracks, chipped relief, pinholes, damp staining and repairs visible beneath the intended finish.

Packing: check separate supports for shafts and projecting ornaments, protected corners and component identification; record damaged cartons and unpacked pieces on arrival.

What goes wrong

Pilasters can arrive with intact shafts but broken projecting details on capitals or bases. Loose packing lets heavy components strike each other. Damp pieces may stain or become difficult to finish. Ask the factory to demonstrate the packing on the approved assembled design before shipment.

A matching catalogue photograph can conceal different shaft widths, shallow flutes or a bowed rear surface. Components then need extensive filling to fit together or sit against the wall. Compare production pieces with the assembled approval sample and retain photographs of the joints and packing.

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.