Sourcing porcelain mugs from China

Duty on porcelain mugs

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 6911 covers porcelain or china tableware, kitchenware, household and toilet articles. Porcelain drinking mugs fall within 6911 10 00 90. The table shows mug variants sharing that commodity line. For the wider range, see porcelain hotel dinnerware.

The supplied tariff facts show 12% ordinary duty and residual anti-dumping duty of 36.10%, with no suspension listed. Check the supplier's applicable company-specific anti-dumping rate before costing the order. Confirm the commodity code against the actual material and use.

The tariff also attaches import waste control, export waste control and a cultural-object export licence measure. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For goods from China offered as waste, confirm the import requirements with your customs broker. Ask the broker to confirm whether the attached export measures affect any planned onward export.

Specify the mug body, glaze and decoration

Specify porcelain rather than a generic ceramic description, usable capacity, rim profile, handle clearance, wall thickness, foot finish and glaze colour. Approve a physical sample showing the exact artwork, print position and decoration near the drinking rim. Agree tests for any dishwasher or microwave claims.

Confirm with the relevant authority the applicable lead and cadmium migration limits and whether a written declaration of compliance and supporting test documentation are required for the ceramic mugs. Ask for reports matching the finished mug and decoration, rather than an undecorated sample. Give rim decoration particular attention.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 porcelain mugs; the percentage duty calculation must also include the applicable anti-dumping duty. under 6911 10 00 90, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 12% is £912. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,512, so it is £1,702.40. Import taxes total £2,614.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £912 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Body and rim: check for chips, cracks, sharp edges, distorted openings and rocking bases.

Glaze and print: compare colour and artwork with the approved sample; check pinholes, crazing, smudges and misplaced transfers.

Handle and use: check handle joints and clearance; test filled samples and verify agreed dishwasher or microwave claims.

Packing and documents: check separators, handle protection and carton condition; match food contact declarations and test reports to the supplied designs.

What goes wrong

A mug can look acceptable while its decoration fails lead or cadmium release testing. Other failures include cracked handle joints, rough feet that scratch tables, glaze crazing, fading prints and chipped rims after transport.

Approve the finished decorated sample, agree protective packing and inspect before shipment. Recheck arrival damage before releasing stock for sale. Use the quality inspection guide to define the checks.

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.