Sourcing Slate Coasters from China

Zero duty on slate coasters

Heading 6803 covers worked slate and articles of slate or agglomerated slate. Slate coasters fall within the other articles line, 6803 00 90 00. The table shows coaster variants sharing this code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, the supplied record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is separate from customs duty; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the material and construction against the commodity code guide, especially for products combining slate with other materials. For serving products within the wider heading, see slate cheese boards.

Specify the slate, edges and backing

Specify natural or agglomerated slate, shape, dimensions, thickness tolerance and acceptable colour variation. Agree whether edges are split or machined, and approve a sample showing acceptable surface texture, mineral inclusions and edge appearance. Name any coating or sealant rather than accepting an unspecified surface treatment.

For engraving, approve artwork position, legibility and contrast on the actual slate. Specify full felt backing or individual protective feet, their position and the adhesive. Test the sample with wet glasses and warm mugs, checking rocking, slipping, staining and whether the backing stays attached after cleaning.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include sharp edges and detached slate flakes in the safety assessment. Agree cleaning instructions that match the supplied finish and backing.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 cartons of boxed slate coaster sets, illustrative only under 6803 00 90 00, invoiced at £2,600 free on board, with £305 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,905. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,905, so it is £581. 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

Stone and edges: compare sampled pieces with the approved sample, measure dimensions and thickness, and check cracks, loose layers, sharp corners and prominent mineral inclusions.

Backing and stability: place coasters on a flat surface, check for rocking, inspect backing coverage and attachment, and check that exposed stone cannot scratch the table.

Finish and engraving: inspect artwork position and clarity, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, and check for loose dust, colour transfer or coating residue.

Packing and arrival: open cartons from different positions in the shipment, inspect separators and corner protection, record chipped pieces and check set contents. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A sample can look consistent while the shipment varies in thickness, colour and edge finish. Uneven pieces rock under glasses; loose layers shed flakes; backing lifts or leaves bare stone against furniture. Engraving can lose contrast on darker or more textured pieces.

Poor separation lets coasters rub together and chip in transit. Agree acceptable natural variation and rejectable damage using physical samples and photographs. Inspect finished, packed sets before shipment and compare arrival damage with the packing records before changing the next order.

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.