Sourcing wood-burning stoves from China
Wood-burning stoves of iron or steel from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant heating, cooking and parts lines. Confirm applicable ecodesign requirements for the room heater with the relevant authority; burning wood in a smoke control area requires an exempt appliance. Match the documentation to the supplied model. Cambridge China Bridge sources wood-burning stoves.
UK duty on wood-burning stoves
Heading 7321 covers non-electric domestic appliances of iron or steel and their parts. Wood-burning room heaters normally use 7321 89 00 00; domestic cooking stoves use 7321 19 00 00, and stove parts use 7321 90 00 00. The parts rows show different purchases under the same tariff line. For cooking appliances within the wider heading, see pizza ovens. For pellet stoves, see our non-electric wood pellet stove guide. For kerosene cooking models, see our kerosene cooking stove sourcing guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all these lines carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control for these lines.
Confirm the code against the stove's material, heating or cooking function and the goods actually shipped. Separately supplied glass, seals or flue components need their own classification check rather than an automatic stove-parts code. See finding your commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron or steel wood-burning room heaters | 7321 89 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Iron or steel domestic wood-burning cooking stoves | 7321 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Iron or steel stove parts, including replacement doors | 7321 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the firebox, fuel and compliance documents
Agree the body material, firebox lining, baffle arrangement, air controls, door seal, glass, flue outlet position and connection dimensions. Record the intended fuel, heat output and installation clearances in the purchase specification. Keep an approved sample and drawings so changes to the combustion chamber or air controls are visible. For another heating option, see our guide to sourcing indirect diesel heaters.
Wood-burning room heaters face ecodesign efficiency and emissions requirements. A declaration of conformity must be supported by technical documentation demonstrating compliance. Ask for documents and test reports that identify the exact model and construction being supplied; use testing and certification to scope the checks.
For smoke control areas, wood can only be burned in exempt appliances. Check the proposed model's exemption before advertising that use. Before fitting the flue, confirm with the local authority whether building control requirements apply and what installation arrangements are appropriate. See our guide to sourcing solid-fuel warm-air furnaces.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 compact wood-burning stoves for a retailer; illustrative order only under 7321 89 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,000. Duty at 2% is £360. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,360, so it is £3,672. Import taxes total £4,032; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £360 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Documents: match the delivered model and its air controls to the declaration, test reports and agreed drawings.
Firebox and door: inspect castings and welds for cracks, check lining and baffle placement, and check that the door closes evenly against its seal.
Flue and operation: check the outlet against the agreed connection drawing, operate the air controls and arrange a controlled firing check by a competent person.
Arrival condition: inspect glass, feet, hinges and finish for transit damage; photograph damaged packing before unpacking further. See quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A report can describe a sample with different air controls or a different firebox from the delivered stove. A supplier's smoke-control claim may also refer to another model. Treat these as model-matching checks before placing the order, rather than accepting a badge or brochure statement.
Other points to catch are cracked linings, distorted doors, loose seals, damaged glass and flue outlets that do not match the installation drawing. Agree how replacements will be identified and packed before approving shipment.
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 wood-burning stoves from China?
The relevant iron or steel heating, cooking and stove-parts lines carry 2% duty in the supplied tariff reading. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
What compliance documents should I ask the factory for?
For a wood-burning room heater, request the declaration of conformity and supporting technical documentation, with test reports matching the exact model and construction.
Can any wood-burning stove be used in a smoke control area?
No. Wood can only be burned in an exempt appliance in a smoke control area. Check the proposed model's exemption before making that claim to customers.
What should I check when the stoves arrive?
Check model identity, glass, linings, baffles, door seals, hinges and flue outlets against the agreed sample and drawings. Photograph transit damage and retain the packing evidence.