Sourcing rough dolerite blocks from China

Zero duty on rough dolerite blocks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 2516 covers crude, roughly trimmed or merely cut monumental and building stone. Rough dolerite blocks fall within other monumental or building stone, 2516 90 00 00. The table shows different purchasing descriptions sharing that commodity line. See the rough basalt guide for the wider heading.

The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. It attaches import and export waste controls. If a Chinese consignment is waste subject to notification controls, shipment to England can begin only after consent from the Environment Agency and other competent authorities involved. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for your consignment.

Polished, flamed, edged or otherwise worked stone moves to heading 6802; natural stone setts, kerbs and flagstones belong to heading 6801. Confirm the commodity code using the rock identification, photographs, shape and processing description before ordering.

Specify the quarry bed and usable block

Specify dolerite by petrographic identification rather than relying on a trade colour name. Record the quarry and bed, approved colour and grain, rough or merely sawn condition, minimum usable dimensions, acceptable weathered surfaces and crack rejection criteria. Agree how usable volume will be measured after damaged edges and weathered material are excluded.

Ask for density, water absorption, strength and frost-resistance reports from the same quarry bed, chosen for the intended use. Inspect a cut sample as well as the rough exterior. Employers processing the stone must assess and control dust-exposure risks; plan the cutting process before the blocks arrive.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative shipment of 25 tonnes of rough dolerite blocks under 2516 90 00 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,400, so it is £2,680. 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 block markings, quarry records and test samples to the agreed dolerite source and bed.

Faces: inspect accessible faces dry and wet for cracks, veins, rust staining and weathered zones; compare colour and grain with the approved cut sample.

Dimensions: measure usable length, width and height, record missing corners and compare the block list and weights with the delivery documents.

Packing: check supports, separation, restraint and transport damage before unloading. Solid wood packaging used to import goods into Great Britain must meet ISPM15 standards.

What goes wrong

A block can match the rough exterior sample yet reveal different colour, veins or fractures when sawn. Weathered edges and hidden cracks reduce usable yield, while measuring only the largest outside dimensions overstates usable material. Keep the approved cut sample and agree rejection criteria before purchase.

Poor support and restraint can damage blocks during transport. Photograph arrival condition, keep block identities attached to the inspection record and investigate discrepancies before mixing quarry lots. Use a quality inspection brief that covers usable material 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.