Sourcing tufted carpet tiles from China
Tufted carpet tiles from China carry a flat 8% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Tiles for fitting in buildings need a declaration of performance, conformity marking and a declared fire class. Match the documents to the supplied pile and backing. Cambridge China Bridge sources tufted carpet tiles.
A flat 8% duty on tufted carpet tiles
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 5703 covers tufted carpets and other textile floor coverings, whether or not made up. The listed carpet tile lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded. The synthetic-fibre tile subdivisions shown here cover tiles with a maximum surface area of 1 m².
The tariff attaches CITES import control to the wool or fine animal hair line and cat and dog fur import control to other-textile tile lines. CITES-listed material needs an import permit; tiles containing cat or dog fur cannot be imported. For animal-derived materials, confirm the species and clearance requirements with your customs broker. The tariff also records DCMS export licensing and conditional export controls on relevant lines; confirm these before any onward export.
Confirm the commodity code using tufted construction, pile fibre, printed status and tile area. Do not select a synthetic tile code simply because the backing is plastic. See the wider tufted carpets and artificial grass guide for other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed nylon or other polyamide carpet tiles, maximum area 1 m² | 5703 29 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Unprinted nylon or other polyamide carpet tiles, maximum area 1 m² | 5703 29 91 00 | 8% | None |
| Polypropylene carpet tiles, maximum area 1 m² | 5703 39 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other man-made fibre carpet tiles, maximum area 1 m² | 5703 39 91 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the pile, backing and installation
Specify pile fibre, loop or cut pile, pile height and mass, tile dimensions, total thickness and backing material. Agree tolerances, installation direction, the intended adhesive and the approved colour sample. Ask for batch identification so replacement tiles can be traced. Keep pile mass separate from total tile mass: a heavier backing does not mean more wearing surface.
For tiles supplied for fitting in buildings, confirm with the relevant construction-product authority the applicable declaration of performance, conformity marking and reaction to fire requirements, including whether EN 14041 applies. Legitimately CE-marked construction products can continue to be supplied in Great Britain. Match the fire report to the actual pile, backing and installation conditions. Fibre labelling must identify fibre content; confirm with the relevant textile-labelling authority how this applies to the composition of the use surface. Arrange testing and certification checks before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 unprinted nylon tufted carpet tiles under 5703 29 91 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,500. Duty at 8% is £1,960. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,460, so it is £5,292. Import taxes total £7,252; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,960 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions and flatness: measure tile size and squareness, lay tiles together on a flat surface, and check gaps, raised edges and curling. Compare dimensional stability results with the agreed specification.
Pile and backing: compare pile height and mass with the approved sample, check tuft withdrawal and backing adhesion, and examine cut edges for loose yarn or separation.
Colour and direction: compare tiles from different cartons under the same lighting, check batch identifiers and backing arrows, and lay out the agreed pattern to expose shade bands.
Documents and packing: match the declaration of performance, fire report and fibre label to the supplied product. Check carton counts, moisture damage and crushed corners. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
Low pile mass can be hidden by a heavy backing. Uneven backing or poor dimensional stability leaves gaps and curled edges; weak adhesion causes delamination. Mixed dye batches create visible patches across an installed floor. Check an assembled layout from production cartons rather than accepting a loose showroom sample.
A fire report for a different backing or installation does not establish the performance of the ordered tile. Require the factory to identify the tested construction and obtain matching evidence before accepting a substitution. Agree how rejected batches and replacement tiles will be identified, so remedial deliveries do not introduce another shade mismatch.
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 tufted carpet tiles from China?
The listed tufted carpet tile lines carry 8% duty for goods from China. The tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Which commodity code applies to nylon carpet tiles?
For tiles with a maximum area of 1 m², printed nylon or other polyamide tiles use 5703 29 10 00; unprinted tiles use 5703 29 91 00. Confirm the construction and fibre before declaring.
Do tufted carpet tiles need fire-performance documents?
For tiles supplied for fitting in buildings, confirm with the relevant construction-product authority whether a declaration of performance, conformity marking and a declared reaction to fire class are required. Check that the report covers the supplied pile and backing.
How do I check carpet tiles for curling and colour differences?
Lay tiles from different cartons together on a flat surface. Check edge lift, gaps, squareness and shade under consistent lighting, then compare the results with the approved sample and agreed tolerances.