Sourcing timber roof trusses from China
Relevant timber roof-truss and component lines carry 0% UK duty from China; heading 4418 ranges from 0% to 2%. Confirm applicable timber-legality due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority in Great Britain. Agree the structural design and check performance documents before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources prefabricated timber roof trusses.
Zero duty on relevant timber lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, the selected lines under heading 4418 carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. The heading covers builders' joinery and carpentry of wood. This guide concerns prefabricated timber roof trusses; the table also identifies separately supplied structural components.
The selected lines attach a DCMS export licence measure. Ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to the transaction. The supplied facts list no phytosanitary or CITES import control on these lines. Separately, regulated wood material must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate; ask the broker to check whether the actual species, origin and processing bring the consignment within those controls.
Treat the table as classification candidates, not interchangeable codes. Give your broker the assembly drawings, material composition and condition at import to confirm the commodity code. The wooden doors and engineered flooring guide covers the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other wooden joinery and carpentry: candidate line for assembled roof trusses | 4418 99 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other engineered structural timber products, excluding bamboo | 4418 89 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Glulam supplied separately for roof structures, excluding bamboo | 4418 81 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Separate posts and beams outside the engineered structural timber lines | 4418 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the roof geometry and joint design
Provide the roof plan, span, pitch, support positions, overhangs and intended roof covering. Ask the project structural engineer to agree the loads, timber strength grade, member sizes, connector specification and bracing layout. Record whether the order includes girder trusses, infill members, bearings and installation drawings. Agree transport supports and lifting points before packing.
Confirm with the relevant authority whether builders' joinery under heading 4418 is subject to timber-legality due-diligence requirements in Great Britain. Obtain species, harvest country and supporting supply-chain documents before ordering. Confirm the applicable construction-product standard and any declaration-of-performance requirement with the relevant authority. Ask for the applicable standard and product-specific supporting reports. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 prefabricated timber roof trusses, assuming this classification is confirmed under 4418 99 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,500, so it is £5,100. 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
Geometry: compare span, pitch, bearing positions, member sizes and truss identification with the agreed drawings at packing and on arrival.
Joints: check connector type, plate size, position and embedment against the joint drawings; photograph lifted plates, split timber and damaged connections.
Timber: check grade identification, species documents, moisture readings, distortion and mould against the agreed specification.
Delivery: inspect bracing members, bundle supports and lifting damage; match the delivered truss types and performance documents to the packing list during inspection.
What goes wrong
A truss can match the outline while using different timber sections or connector plates. Incorrect bearings, missing bracing information, wet timber and damaged joints can prevent the roof package from being accepted for installation. Photographs alone cannot establish structural capacity.
Hold delivery acceptance for the engineer's review where dimensions, joints or documents differ from the agreed design. Ask for a written repair proposal for damaged trusses rather than allowing unreviewed cutting, drilling or plate replacement on site.
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 timber roof trusses from China?
The selected roof-truss candidate and structural-component lines carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Confirm the exact assembly's commodity code before shipment.
Do imported timber roof trusses need timber due diligence?
Confirm with the relevant authority whether builders' joinery under heading 4418 is covered by timber-legality rules in Great Britain and what due diligence the business first placing it on the market should undertake.
Can CE-marked roof trusses be supplied in Great Britain?
CE marking remains available for construction products in Great Britain. Ask for product-specific performance documents and have the engineer review the proposed trusses for the project.
What should I check when timber roof trusses arrive?
Match geometry, member sizes, bearings and connector plates to the drawings. Check moisture, distortion, joint damage, bundle identification and missing bracing members before installation.