Sourcing slate hearths from China

Slate hearth duty and classification

Heading 6803 covers worked slate and articles of slate or agglomerated slate. Finished slate hearths fall within the other worked slate articles line, 6803 00 90 00. Our wider slate guide covers the rest of the heading. Only the hearth-relevant line is shown here.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 November 2026, the duty for goods from China is 0%. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Solid-wood crates and pallets used for imports into Great Britain must nevertheless meet the international wood-packaging phytosanitary standard.

Confirm the material and finished article with your customs broker using the drawing, photographs and supplier description. Follow finding your commodity code, particularly where the supplier describes a composite or a different stone as slate.

Specify the hearth for the appliance

Agree natural or agglomerated slate, colour range, surface finish, thickness, flatness, edge profile and underside finish. Provide a dimensioned drawing showing corners, curves, cut-outs and joints. State whether the hearth is supplied as a single slab or matching sections, and record acceptable visible veins and inclusions in the product specification.

Ask the installer to agree the hearth design for the intended appliance and supporting floor before ordering. For solid-fuel installations in England, Approved Document J says the hearth should accommodate the appliance's weight and that of its chimney where the chimney is not independently supported. Obtain evidence for the proposed material, joints and any coating rather than relying on a photograph.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree the intended use and handling information with the supplier, including any sealer or resin treatment. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence needed for the actual hearth.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of finished slate hearths in protective crates 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

Dimensions: measure length, width, thickness, diagonals and cut-outs against the approved drawing. Check flatness and dry-fit matching sections on a level surface.

Stone condition: inspect faces, edges and underside for cracks, splitting along layers, chipped corners, mineral inclusions and concealed repairs.

Finish: compare colour and texture with the approved sample. Check edge profiles, machining marks, coating consistency and the appearance of adjoining sections.

Packing and arrival: check separation, corner protection and restraint inside crates. On arrival, photograph crate damage before unpacking and inspect concealed faces. Follow the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A slab matches the overall dimensions but its cut-out is reversed, its underside rocks on the support, or adjoining sections differ in thickness and colour. Fine cracks and splitting along layers can be hidden by moisture or surface treatment. Inspect dry pieces and compare the finished hearth with the approved drawing and sample.

Loose packing allows heavy slabs to strike each other, leaving chipped edges or broken corners. Agree how each section is supported and restrained, and record packing before dispatch. If the factory changes the slate source, repair method or coating, review the sample and supporting evidence before accepting the change.

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.