Sourcing wooden canvas stretchers from China
Wooden canvas stretcher frames from China under heading 4414 carry UK duty of 0% to 2%, depending on the timber species. The importer must carry out timber legality due diligence before placing them on the Great Britain market. Specify the bar profile, joints and tensioning wedges. Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden canvas stretcher frames.
Duty depends on the timber
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 4414 covers wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects. For canvas stretcher frames classified here, specified tropical wood carries 2% duty from China; other tropical wood and non-tropical wood carry 0%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table includes every commodity line supplied.
The tariff attaches CITES import control. Listed timber may need CITES documentation; ask your customs broker to confirm the species, finished-product coverage and documents needed for a shipment from China. Check import restrictions before applying for a permit. The record also lists CITES export control and cultural-object export licensing; confirm their relevance with your broker if exporting the frames.
Confirm the commodity code using the species, construction and condition as imported, especially for loose bars or frames supplied with canvas. See the wooden picture frames guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas stretcher frames of non-tropical wood | 4414 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Canvas stretcher frames of other tropical wood | 4414 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Canvas stretcher frames of specified tropical wood | 4414 10 10 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the bars and tensioning system
Specify timber species, assembled dimensions, bar width and depth, the raised or bevelled canvas-contact edge, corner joint construction and whether the frame is supplied assembled. Agree where cross braces are fitted, whether joints remain adjustable, and which wedges are included. Use an approved sample with your intended canvas to check tensioning and clearance from the inner bar edges.
Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether these wooden frames fall within the UK Timber Regulations and what due diligence is required of the business first placing them on the Great Britain market. Ask for species and harvest-country information and supporting timber documents before ordering, and use them to assess and address illegal-harvest risk. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; include splinters, sharp fixings and loose components in the safety review.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 4,000 pine canvas stretcher frames, illustrative order under 4414 90 00 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,400, so it is £1,880. 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
Geometry: compare dimensions and diagonals with the approved drawing, lay assembled frames on a flat surface, and check for twist, bowed bars and rocking.
Timber and profile: check species documents, measure moisture against the agreed specification, and inspect for splits, mould, splinters and rough canvas-contact edges.
Joints and wedges: assemble sample frames, check corner fit and brace seating, and confirm wedges fit their slots and adjust the joints without splitting the timber.
Canvas and packing: stretch the intended canvas on samples and check for bar impressions or distortion. At inspection, check protective packing and repeat the geometry checks after unpacking.
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What goes wrong
Bars that look straight before assembly can twist after shipping or bow under canvas tension. Poorly matched corner joints leave the frame out of square, while badly cut wedge slots prevent adjustment or split when tapped. A poorly shaped inner edge can leave a visible bar line on the canvas.
Missing wedges, mismatched bar lengths and loose braces interrupt assembly. Agree the complete contents of each packed set, retain an assembled approval sample, and check arrival stock before distributing it. Investigate species substitutions against both the order and the timber legality file.
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 wooden canvas stretcher frames from China?
Under heading 4414, duty is 0% for non-tropical and other tropical wood, or 2% for specified tropical wood. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do canvas stretcher frames need timber due diligence?
Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether these wooden frames are covered by the UK Timber Regulations and what timber legality checks apply to the business first placing them on the Great Britain market. Request species, harvest-country information and supporting evidence.
Do wooden canvas stretcher frames need CITES paperwork?
The tariff attaches CITES import control. Requirements depend on the species and product coverage. Ask your customs broker to confirm the documents and any import restrictions before ordering.
How do I check whether stretcher frames will hold canvas tension?
Assemble samples with the intended canvas. Check squareness, flatness, bar deflection, brace seating and wedge adjustment, then look for impressions from the inner bar edges.