Sourcing slate shower trays from China
Slate shower trays classified under heading 6803 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no trade remedy shown. Where a designated construction-product standard applies, confirm the declaration of performance and marking requirements with the relevant authority. Check the actual material and finished tray. Cambridge China Bridge sources slate shower trays.
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Duty on slate shower trays
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6803 covers worked slate and articles of slate or agglomerated slate. For a shower tray made of these materials, the relevant line to check is 6803 00 90 00, “Other”. A slate-effect surface alone does not establish that the tray is made of slate.
The supplied tariff data shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control. Only the other-slate-articles line is relevant to this guide. See the wider slate guide for roofing and wall slates.
Confirm the commodity code using the material composition, construction and intended use before ordering. Keep the supplier’s material description consistent with the invoice. Import VAT is separate from duty; see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worked slate or agglomerated slate shower trays | 6803 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the slate, drainage and finished surface
Ask whether the tray is carved from natural slate, made from agglomerated slate or merely has a slate-effect finish. Specify the quarry or material source, approved colour range, thickness, underside support, edge profile, drain position and matching waste fitting. Agree a drawing showing how the tray meets the enclosure and surrounding waterproofing.
Approve the finished, sealed surface rather than an untreated stone sample. Ask for evidence of wet barefoot grip, drainage, cleaning resistance and strength with the proposed support arrangement. Agree the sealant, cleaning instructions and whether surface treatment needs renewal.
Confirm the applicable construction-product standard and its scope with your testing provider. Where a designated standard applies, ask the relevant authority to confirm the declaration of performance and marking requirements for the exact product. CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Match the documents to the finished tray and its intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One container of crate-packed slate shower trays for a bathroom merchant, illustrative only 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
Material and documents: check the material declaration, product identity and applicable performance documents against the ordered tray, including its coating and construction.
Geometry and drainage: measure the footprint, thickness, drain opening and sealing faces against the approved drawing. Trial-fit the waste fitting and check drainage with the tray supported as instructed.
Surface and stone: inspect faces, edges and the drain opening for chips, cracks, loose layers and mineral inclusions. Compare colour and texture with the approved range and review wet-grip evidence.
Packing and arrival: check bracing, corner protection and separation between trays. Photograph damage before unpacking further and inspect the underside before installation. Define these checks in your inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A tray can match the sample colour yet have the wrong drain position, an uneven sealing face or a surface treatment that changes wet grip. Poor drainage leaves standing water. Unsupported areas and movement inside crates can cause cracks, especially around the drain opening.
Other problems include delamination, chipped edges and staining from mineral inclusions. Documents may describe a different tray or an untreated material sample. Approve the complete tray with its coating, waste fitting and support instructions, then inspect production against that approval.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on slate shower trays from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% for worked slate or agglomerated slate trays under 6803 00 90 00, with no trade remedy, suspension or attached import control.
Does a slate-effect shower tray belong in heading 6803?
The surface appearance is insufficient. Ask for the actual material composition and construction, then confirm the commodity code for that product.
Do slate shower trays need CE or UKCA marking?
Confirm the standard’s scope for the exact tray and intended use.
What should I check before installing a slate shower tray?
Check cracks, loose layers, drain position, waste fit, sealing faces and drainage. Review the support instructions and wet-grip evidence for the finished surface.