Sourcing rocking chairs from China
Rocking chairs from China carry UK duty from 0% to 4% on the relevant lines: wooden and metal-framed chairs are 0%, while bamboo and rattan chairs are 4%. Confirm applicable furniture fire safety requirements for domestic upholstered rocking chairs with the relevant product safety authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources rocking chairs.
Rocking-chair duty depends on construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9401 covers seats and their parts. For complete rocking chairs, wooden and metal-framed seats carry 0% duty, while bamboo and rattan seats carry 4%. The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import controls; importing products containing that fur is banned. Wooden and metal-framed seat lines also attach CITES and torture-and-repression import controls. For CITES-listed materials, confirm the species and required paperwork with your customs broker before ordering from China. The tariff attaches the torture-and-repression control; ask your broker to confirm its applicability to the goods.
The facts also list cultural-object export licensing and cat and dog fur export controls, with CITES and torture-and-repression export controls on wooden and metal-framed seat lines. Confirm relevant export requirements with your broker if re-exporting. Settle frame material and upholstery before confirming the commodity code. See restaurant dining chairs for wider seating coverage and import duty and VAT for the calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upholstered rocking chairs with wooden frames | 9401 61 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Non-upholstered rocking chairs with wooden frames | 9401 69 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Upholstered rocking chairs with metal frames | 9401 71 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Non-upholstered rocking chairs with metal frames | 9401 79 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Bamboo rocking chairs | 9401 52 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Rattan rocking chairs | 9401 53 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the rocker shape and intended use
Specify adult seating, indoor or outdoor use, frame material, timber species, seat dimensions, runner curvature and the intended rocking travel. Agree an assembled sample with the actual cushions fitted. Check that entering, sitting, rocking and standing do not produce unexpected tipping or sliding. Include runner protection suitable for the intended flooring.
Consumer rocking chairs sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Confirm applicable furniture fire safety requirements for domestic upholstered models with the relevant product safety authority. Ask for evidence covering the specified fabric, filling and chair construction, and agree testing and certification before production. Keep assembly instructions and the approved fittings with the specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 300 upholstered wooden-frame rocking chairs under 9401 61 00 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,000, so it is £5,000. 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
Rocking action: assemble an arrival sample and check smooth movement, matched runners, sideways wobble and stability throughout the agreed travel.
Joints and fittings: check runner attachments, arm supports, back joints and fasteners for looseness, cracks, poor welds or missing hardware.
Finish and upholstery: check splinters, sharp edges, coating damage, cushion retention, seam strength and consistency with the approved materials.
Packing: check runner ends and curved surfaces for transport damage, confirm fittings against the instructions and keep fabric away from abrasive frame edges.
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What goes wrong
A chair can look correct while mismatched runner curves make it drift or rock unevenly. Loose runner fixings, weak back joints and cushions that slide can make the assembled chair behave differently from the approved sample. Check the finished chair rather than accepting photographs of separate components.
Substituted fabric or filling can leave fire-safety evidence unrelated to the delivered model. Curved runners also concentrate packing pressure at their ends, leading to chips, splits or bent attachments. Record defects after unpacking and assembly, and agree corrective work before accepting the batch.
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 rocking chairs from China?
The selected wooden and metal-framed chair lines carry 0%; bamboo and rattan chair lines carry 4%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded on these lines.
Do upholstered rocking chairs need fire safety testing?
Ask for test evidence matching the actual fabric, filling and construction.
How do I check a rocking chair before buying?
Approve an assembled sample with its cushions. Check rocking travel, sideways stability, runner fixings, back joints and safe entry and exit.
Can protected timber affect a rocking-chair import?
The tariff attaches CITES controls to wooden and metal-framed seat lines. Identify the species and ask your customs broker to confirm the required permits or other paperwork before ordering.