Sourcing solid-wood parting beads from China
Solid-wood parting beads from China under heading 4409 carry 0% UK duty across the relevant timber categories. Ask the Office for Product Safety and Standards to confirm timber-legality due-diligence obligations for the importer placing timber on the Great Britain market; check the species for CITES controls. Cambridge China Bridge sources solid-wood parting beads.
Duty and timber controls
Heading 4409 covers continuously shaped wood, including beadings. This guide concerns separate solid-wood parting beads that divide the sliding sash channels. Specify the species and machined profile when confirming classification. Plain and grooved coniferous profiles share a table code. For related profiles within the heading, see the solid-wood glazing beads guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the relevant coniferous, tropical and other non-coniferous lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches CITES import and export controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the species requires a UK import permit and Chinese export documentation.
Ask the Office for Product Safety and Standards to confirm the operator's obligations under the UK Timber Regulations when placing timber on the Great Britain market, including harvest information, illegality-risk assessment and mitigation. Separately, ask the broker whether the species and origin make the goods regulated plant-health material; regulated material requires a phytosanitary certificate. Confirm the commodity code against the species, profile and condition supplied.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coniferous solid-wood parting beads, plain profile | 4409 10 18 00 | 0% | None |
| Tropical solid-wood parting beads | 4409 22 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other non-coniferous solid-wood parting beads | 4409 29 99 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the sash-channel fit
Send a section drawing and a sample of the receiving frame groove. State bead thickness, exposed width, insertion depth, usable lengths and tolerances. Agree whether the timber must be a continuous solid length or may contain end joints. Approve a sample fitted into the intended frame before approving production.
If the bead has a draught-seal groove, specify its position, depth and opening against the actual seal carrier. Agree species, moisture content, permitted knots and splits, surface finish and primer coverage. Record species and country of harvest with the supporting legality documents.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 metres of coniferous solid-wood parting beads under 4409 10 18 00, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £1,530 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,030. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,030, so it is £1,006. 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
Profile: compare sections from different bundles with the approved drawing and sample; check the insertion tongue and any seal groove for machining drift.
Fit: trial-fit beads in the receiving frame, fit the intended seal and operate the sash; check for binding, loose seating and uneven clearance.
Timber: measure moisture across bundles, check straightness and twist, and inspect narrow edges for splits, loose knots and torn grain.
Packing and records: match bundle labels to species and batch records, check usable lengths and protect edges from strapping damage. Ask the Forestry Commission or your customs broker to confirm applicable treatment and marking requirements for solid-wood pallets and crates.
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What goes wrong
A bead can match the visible width yet fail because its insertion tongue or seal groove is wrong. Excess primer can also change the fit. A loose bead rattles or comes out during maintenance, while an oversized or bowed bead can obstruct sash movement. Inspect with the actual frame and seal, rather than accepting a section photograph.
Wet timber can shrink, twist or split after installation. Short usable lengths, end splits and hidden joints create waste when cutting continuous jamb runs. Agree rejection criteria against an approved sample and include the fit checks in the inspection brief.
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 solid-wood parting beads from China?
The relevant heading 4409 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record dated 1 October 2026, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do solid-wood parting beads need CITES permits?
It depends on the species and applicable listing. The tariff attaches CITES controls; ask your customs broker to confirm the required UK and Chinese documents for the exact timber.
What should I send the factory for replacement parting beads?
Send a section drawing, the receiving frame-groove dimensions and an approved sample. For grooved beads, include the intended draught-seal carrier and confirm the fit after finishing.
What timber legality records should I obtain?
Obtain species, country of harvest and supporting harvest-legality documents. Ask the Office for Product Safety and Standards to confirm the operator's obligations to assess and mitigate illegality risks under the UK Timber Regulations when placing timber on the Great Britain market.