Sourcing slate billiard beds from China

UK duty on worked slate bed slabs

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6803 covers worked slate and articles of slate or agglomerated slate. Worked billiard-table bed slabs fall within the other worked slate line, 6803 00 90 00, subject to confirmation for the actual goods.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control. The table describes product variants sharing the same commodity line. Import VAT is separate; see UK import duty and VAT.

Give your customs broker the material description, machining drawings and details of any attached backing to confirm the commodity code. For other products within this heading, see our roofing slate and slate products guide.

Specify the bed against the table drawing

Specify natural or agglomerated slate, overall dimensions, thickness, flatness, joint positions, pocket profiles and fixing-hole locations. State whether backing is included and identify the table model and supporting frame. Agree how flatness will be measured and how matching sections will be identified and packed together.

Approve a trial fit against the intended frame before accepting production. Check support beneath joints, clearance around pocket openings and access for fixing screws. Record slab weights and agree handling and installation instructions.

In Great Britain, general product safety rules cover products intended for or reasonably likely to be used by consumers. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess exposed edges, support and installation arrangements for the intended application.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 matched bed-slab sets for a billiard-table repair business under 6803 00 90 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £2,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,600, so it is £3,720. 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: measure the slab outline, thickness, hole positions and pocket profiles against the approved drawing.

Playing surface: check flatness using the agreed method, inspect for cracks and delamination, and check for raised filler or chipped edges.

Matched sets: assemble sampled sections on suitable supports and check joint alignment, surface steps and set identification. Use a written brief for quality inspection.

Crating: check edge protection, restraints and lifting access, and inspect again after unpacking on arrival. Solid wood packaging used to import into Great Britain must meet ISPM15 international standards.

What goes wrong

Slabs can fit the outer frame but have misplaced fixing holes or pocket openings that do not match the cushions. Unequal thickness or mismatched sections can leave a step beneath the cloth. A smooth-looking surface does not establish flatness.

Loose packing can leave cracked slabs and broken corners concealed inside an intact crate. Photograph unpacking, inspect the supported slabs before fitting cloth, and keep damaged pieces separate while agreeing replacements. Retain the approved drawing and matching-set records.

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.