Sourcing sliced mahogany veneer from China

Zero duty, with species and permit checks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 4408 covers veneer sheets and similar wood of a thickness not exceeding 6 mm. The mahogany group distinguishes sanded or end-jointed sheets, other planed sheets and other sheets. The table separates sanded and end-jointed orders although they share a code. For other species and forms, see the wood veneer sheets guide.

The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, no suspension and CITES import and export controls. A permit is required for species listed in Annex A, B or C. For a shipment from China to Great Britain, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable UK import and Chinese export or re-export paperwork before ordering.

Confirm the botanical species and whether the sheets are sanded, planed or end-jointed before selecting a code. These mahogany lines do not show the quarantine release control attached to some other lines in this heading. Use finding your commodity code to check the classification against the actual goods.

Specify the species, figure and matching sequence

Write the botanical species and country of harvest into the order rather than accepting only the trade name mahogany. Specify slicing direction, grain figure, colour range, sapwood allowance, usable leaf dimensions, thickness tolerance and moisture condition. State whether leaves must remain in cutting sequence for book matching or slip matching, and approve a representative bundle rather than an isolated attractive leaf.

Confirm with the relevant authority how UK timber rules apply to veneer placed on the Great Britain market, including any information, risk assessment, risk reduction and recordkeeping requirements. Gather species, harvest-country and supply-chain information to support that review. A Chinese factory address does not identify where the tree was harvested. Gather the supporting harvest and supply-chain documents before shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 cubic metre of sliced mahogany veneer under 4408 39 30 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £2,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £14,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,800, so it is £2,960. 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

Identity and records: compare the botanical species, harvest origin, bundle identifiers and supporting documents with the order.

Thickness and usable area: measure sampled leaves at several points and check trimmed dimensions, splits and edge damage.

Appearance and sequence: compare colour, figure, sapwood and repairs with the approved bundle; check leaf numbering and matching order.

Moisture and packing: check moisture with a calibrated meter and inspect for mould, stains, brittle edges and crushed bundles on arrival.

What goes wrong

A colour-matched sample can conceal a different species or a batch with much wider colour variation. Mixed or reordered bundles break the intended matching pattern. Uneven thickness produces an uneven pressed face, while wet packing causes stains or mould and overly dry leaves split during handling.

Keep an approved bundle and photographs showing acceptable variation. Trial-press representative leaves with your intended substrate, adhesive and finish before accepting the batch. Resolve missing species and harvest records before dispatch, alongside the CITES paperwork check.

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.