Sourcing wood-chip gypsum boards from China
Wood-chip gypsum boards under heading 6808 pay 0% UK duty from China, with no trade remedy recorded. For sale in Great Britain, ask the relevant authority to confirm whether a designated construction product standard applies and what declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking requirements apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources wood-chip gypsum boards.
Duty and classification for gypsum-bound wood chips
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6808 covers panels, boards and similar articles of vegetable fibre or wood chips, particles and other wood waste agglomerated with cement, plaster or other mineral binders. This guide concerns wood chips bound with gypsum. Obtain the composition and binder declaration before confirming the classification.
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China under 6808 00 00 00. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The table shows different specifications within the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes. Zero customs duty does not remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code using the composition, construction and intended use. Resin-bound particleboard has a different classification. For the wider mineral-bound board family, see wood wool and cement-bonded boards.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain wood-chip boards agglomerated with gypsum | 6808 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the gypsum binder and installation
Specify wood-chip content, gypsum binder, additives, board dimensions, thickness, density, edge profile and surface finish. State whether the board is intended for lining, partitions or another agreed application. Approve a cut section as well as a face sample, so the factory cannot substitute a different core behind a similar surface.
Agree flatness, squareness, moisture acceptance and edge damage criteria in writing. Ask for fixing and jointing instructions, including the proposed screws, support arrangement and joint treatment. Assess claimed fire, acoustic and load performance for the actual thickness and installation, rather than accepting a report for another board.
For sale in Great Britain, ask the relevant authority to confirm the applicable designated standard or technical assessment route and any declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking requirements. CE marking remains recognised in Great Britain. Check that the documents identify this gypsum-bound wood-chip product; ask testing and certification support to review the proposed evidence.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,500 square metres of plain wood-chip gypsum boards; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 6808 00 00 00, invoiced at £13,500 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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
Core and documents: compare a cut section with the approved sample and composition declaration; match product identification, thickness and intended use across labels and performance documents.
Dimensions and edges: measure sampled boards for length, width, thickness, flatness and squareness; inspect profiled joints, chipped corners and cracks around machined edges.
Moisture and condition: check agreed moisture criteria, staining, mould, loose particles and surface cracking; record wet or damaged boards before accepting delivery.
Packing and handling: check flat support, protective wrapping, edge protection and restraint; photograph pallet condition before unloading. Use the quality inspection guide to define the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A similar-looking board can contain a different binder or wood-chip mix from the approved sample. Uneven thickness and damaged profiles make joints difficult to align; damp packing and unsupported stacks can leave boards stained, bowed or cracked. Agree rejection criteria and inspect the production batch before shipment.
A report for another thickness or installation does not establish the performance of the board ordered. Compare the product identity and tested assembly with the proposed use before approving the paperwork. Keep shipment photographs and batch records so arrival damage can be distinguished from factory defects.
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-chip gypsum boards from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% under 6808 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Import VAT is separate.
Are wood-chip gypsum boards the same as ordinary plasterboard?
Specify the composition rather than relying on the name. This guide covers wood chips agglomerated with gypsum; ask for a binder declaration and a cut-section sample.
Do wood-chip gypsum boards need CE or UKCA marking?
Ask the relevant authority to confirm whether a designated construction product standard applies and what declaration of performance and UKCA or CE marking requirements apply for Great Britain. Confirm the route for the exact board; CE remains recognised.
What should I check when wood-chip gypsum boards arrive?
Check pallet damage, moisture, flatness, dimensions, cracked faces and chipped edges. Match batch identification to the approved sample and documents, and photograph defects before accepting delivery.