Sourcing timber window frames from China

Window-frame duty and timber species

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, timber window frames carried 2% duty from China across the relevant wood categories. The supplied tariff data shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on these lines. Heading 4418 covers builders' joinery and carpentry; this guide covers window frames within it.

The tariff attaches a cultural-object export licence measure to these lines. This concerns exports: official guidance says there are no licensing requirements for importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain. If buying reclaimed historic frames, ask your broker to confirm the position for the shipment and check the exporting country's licensing rules.

Specify whether the wood is tropical, coniferous or another non-tropical species, then confirm the commodity code. French window frames can share the same species-based line as other window frames. For other products within the heading, see wooden doors and engineered flooring. For structural timber purchases, see our glulam timber beam sourcing guide. For structural panels, see our cross-laminated timber panel sourcing guide. For joist purchases, see sourcing timber I-joists. For door frames, see our wooden door frame sourcing guide.

Specify the timber and frame profile

Send section drawings showing the frame width and depth, glazing rebate, sill slope, drainage openings, joints and fixing positions. State whether the supply is a bare frame or a complete glazed window. Agree the timber species, solid or laminated construction, moisture target, coating system and surfaces that must be finished before assembly. For shutters alongside the frames, see our wooden window shutters sourcing guide.

Confirm with the relevant authority whether timber due-diligence requirements apply to the builders' joinery being supplied. Obtain species, country of harvest and legality documents for every wood component before ordering. For complete external windows, the reference guide identifies EN 14351-1 and recommends the declaration of performance and matching test reports. Ask a testing and certification adviser to confirm the evidence applicable to your supplied frame or window.

CE marking continues to be available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Agree the applicable conformity route before approving the sample, and check that performance documents describe the actual construction being supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 timber window frames under 4418 19 50 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 2% is £510. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,010, so it is £5,202. Import taxes total £5,712; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £510 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Geometry: measure overall dimensions, diagonals, bow and twist against the approved drawing. Trial-fit the intended sash, glazing beads and hardware.

Timber: check species documentation, knots, splits and laminated joints. Measure moisture at packing and on arrival against the agreed target.

Weather details: check sill slopes, drainage openings, seal grooves and glazing rebates. Look for blocked drainage and exposed end grain.

Finish and packing: check coating coverage, damaged corners and protection between frames. Record defects during quality inspection and repeat the checks on arrival.

What goes wrong

Frames arrive out of square, twist as moisture changes or have rebates that do not match the intended glazing. Weak joints open, exposed end grain takes up moisture and packing rubs through the finish. A sample approved without the intended sash and hardware can conceal assembly problems.

Another failure is paperwork for a different window construction or timber whose harvest origin cannot be traced. Match drawings, the approved sample and production records before shipment. Keep affected frames separate on arrival until dimensional, moisture or document discrepancies are resolved.

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.