Sourcing stoneware gravy boats from China
Heading 6912 has ordinary UK duty of 4% to 8%; stoneware gravy boats carry 4%, with residual anti-dumping duty of 36.10%. Confirm food-contact requirements, including lead and cadmium migration evidence and the written declaration of compliance, before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources stoneware gravy boats.
Duty and classification for stoneware gravy boats
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 6912 covers ceramic tableware, kitchenware and other household or toilet articles, excluding porcelain or china. Stoneware gravy boats fall within the stoneware tableware line shown here. The table repeats that line for different buying formats. Confirm the body and complete set through our commodity code guide. Compare the separate material category in our porcelain sauce boats guide.
For goods from China, 6912 00 23 10 carries ordinary duty of 4% and residual anti-dumping duty of 36.10%. Check the exporter's applicable company rate before ordering. The line lists no countervailing duty or suspension. Additional anti-dumping duty must be included when assessing the illustrative order; ordinary duty alone does not represent its total import duty.
The tariff attaches import waste control, export waste control and a cultural-object export licence entry. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste. For a consignment from China treated as waste, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirements. For waste shipped under notification controls into England, the competent authorities must consent before shipment. Confirm the export entries if subsequently exporting the goods.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain glazed stoneware gravy boats | 6912 00 23 10 | 4% | 36.10% residual anti-dumping |
Specify the pouring lip, handle and glaze
Specify the stoneware body, usable capacity below the pouring lip, overall dimensions, handle clearance and base shape. Approve the pouring lip with the intended gravy consistency, checking drips down the outside and whether the handle remains comfortable when filled. If supplied with a saucer, approve the assembled set and its seating.
Confirm applicable lead and cadmium migration limits, written declaration of compliance and supporting test documentation requirements with the relevant authority. Obtain the applicable documents before shipment and match them to the supplied body, glaze and decoration. Describe hot gravy contact to the laboratory. Agree checks for any dishwasher or microwave claim using production samples.
Agree acceptable glaze variation, decoration position and a smooth rim and foot. Specify cushioning around the pouring lip and handle, with the saucer protected separately. Retain approved unpacked and packed samples.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 plain glazed stoneware gravy boats; additional anti-dumping duty must also be allowed for under 6912 00 23 10, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 4% is £304. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,904, so it is £1,580.80. Import taxes total £1,884.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £304 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Pouring and grip: fill sampled boats to the agreed usable capacity, test the pour and check drips, handle clearance and grip.
Glaze and edges: inspect the interior, pouring lip and handle joints for crazing, pinholes, cracks, sharp edges and chips.
Base and saucer: check rocking, stability when filled, rough feet and fit on the matching saucer.
Documents and arrival packing: match compliance documents to the supplied finish; inspect cushioning, handles, lips and saucers for concealed damage.
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What goes wrong
A rounded pouring lip can send gravy down the outside, while uneven firing can leave a rocking base or a saucer that no longer fits. Narrow handle clearance makes a filled boat awkward to hold. Include these checks in the approved sample assessment and quality inspection.
Handles and projecting lips can break when cushioning presses against them or the saucer moves inside the carton. A substituted glaze can also leave the supplied test evidence poorly matched to the goods. Record arrival damage by carton and review material or finish changes before accepting stock.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on stoneware gravy boats from China?
The stoneware tableware line 6912 00 23 10 carries 4% ordinary duty and residual anti-dumping duty of 36.10%. Confirm the exporter's applicable company rate.
What food-contact documents should I request?
Request the applicable written declaration of compliance and supporting lead and cadmium migration documentation. Match them to the actual gravy boat, glaze and decoration supplied.
How do I check whether a gravy boat pours properly?
Test the approved sample with the intended gravy consistency at the agreed fill level. Check the stream, drips down the outside, grip and stability when setting it down.
How should stoneware gravy boats be packed?
Protect the handle and pouring lip without putting pressure on them. Cushion any saucer separately and prevent ceramic parts touching. Inspect arrival cartons for concealed breakage.