Sourcing Slate Menu Boards from China

UK duty on slate menu boards

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9610 covers slates and boards with writing or drawing surfaces, whether or not framed. Slate menu boards supplied as writing boards fall within this description. The table shows product formats sharing the same tariff line.

Commodity code 9610 00 00 00 carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual product description, photographs and intended use before ordering. For other writing board materials and formats, see sourcing chalkboards.

Specify the slate and writing surface

State whether the board is natural slate or a slate-look substrate. Specify dimensions, thickness, weight, acceptable colour variation, surface texture and edge finish. Agree whether the face is untreated, sealed or coated, and approve a sample using the actual chalk or liquid chalk marker your customer will use.

Specify the usable writing area, frame construction, hanging holes, cord or brackets, tabletop support and protective feet. Agree cleaning instructions and acceptance checks after repeated writing and wiping. In Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 cover products intended or likely to be used by consumers and require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include edge and support safety in the buying specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 framed slate menu boards, illustrative order under 9610 00 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,000. Duty at 2% is £540. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,540, so it is £5,508. Import taxes total £6,048; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £540 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Slate and edges: compare material, thickness, flatness and colour with the approved sample. Check for cracks, loose layers, chipped corners and sharp edges.

Writing and cleaning: write with the agreed chalk and markers, leave the writing for the agreed period, then clean as instructed. Check for staining, residual lettering and coating transfer.

Supports and fittings: check frames, hanging holes, cords and brackets for looseness or damage. Test tabletop stability and check that protective feet stay attached.

Packing and arrival: check individual separation, face protection, corner cushioning and carton movement. Inspect unpacked boards for fractures and rubbing marks, recording damage before distributing stock.

What goes wrong

A sample may wipe clean while production boards retain marker outlines because the coating or stone texture has changed. Thin slate can split around hanging holes, rough edges can shed flakes, and tabletop supports can rock on uneven bases. Keep an approved sample and record the agreed material and finish.

Boards packed face to face can rub during transport; exposed corners can chip even when cartons look intact. Agree protective packing and inspect both before shipment and on arrival. Use the quality inspection guide to organise checks.

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.