Sourcing wooden mortars and pestles from China
Wooden mortars and pestles from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Confirm applicable food-contact requirements for the wood, finishes and glues with Trading Standards; check CITES requirements against the timber species. Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden mortars and pestles.
Duty and timber controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 4419 covers wooden tableware and kitchenware. The relevant bamboo, tropical-wood and other-wood lines all carry 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or tariff suspension is listed. Mortars and pestles used for preparing food belong within this kitchenware family.
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to 4419 90 00 00. For listed timber, confirm the applicable UK import and Chinese export documents with APHA and China's management authority. It also lists a DCMS Export Licence control across the relevant lines. Cultural-object export licensing concerns exports from Great Britain; it is not an import licence for a new kitchenware order. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the listed controls apply.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual species and construction, including whether the product is bamboo or tropical wood. The chapter note distinguishes the tropical-wood lines. For the wider product family, see wooden and bamboo kitchenware.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo mortars and pestles | 4419 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Mortars and pestles of tropical wood specified in the chapter note | 4419 20 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Mortars and pestles of other tropical wood | 4419 20 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Mortars and pestles of other wood | 4419 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the bowl, pestle and food-contact finish
Specify the timber species for both parts, solid or laminated construction, bowl opening and depth, wall and base thickness, pestle length and head shape, and acceptable dimensional variation. Approve a matched sample: the pestle should reach the grinding surface without the handle striking the rim. Agree whether the set is intended for dry spices, herbs or wet pastes.
Confirm applicable food-contact requirements for the wood, finishes and glues with Trading Standards. Ask for the oil, wax, lacquer and adhesive specifications, and migration testing on the finished sample suited to its intended use. Agree moisture content, surface texture and care instructions. Test any dishwasher-safe claim before printing it; the food contact guide explains the background.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,200 wooden mortar and pestle sets, illustrative under 4419 90 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,200, so it is £2,040. 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
Matching and stability: check bowl dimensions against the approved sample, pestle reach and grip clearance, and whether the bowl rocks on a flat surface. Try the agreed ingredients to assess grinding and spillage.
Wood and construction: inspect the bowl base, rim and pestle neck for cracks, knots and weak grain. Run a cloth over the surfaces to catch splinters; check laminated parts for opening glue lines after agreed wash-and-dry trials.
Finish and cleanliness: compare the finish with the approved sample and material records. Check for tackiness, colour transfer, loose fibres and odour after washing. Examine the grinding surface for wear after the agreed use trial.
Moisture and packing: record moisture readings against the agreed specification, inspect for mould and insect holes, and check that the pestle cannot strike the bowl during transport. Repeat these checks on arrival; use an agreed inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A pestle that looks suitable in a photograph can be too short for the bowl, leaving the buyer's hand against the rim. A poorly shaped head may miss much of the grinding surface. Approve the pair together and test it with the ingredients the buyer expects to use.
Wet timber can develop mould in transit, while weak grain, thin bases and opening glue lines can lead to cracks during pounding or washing. Thick finishes may remain sticky or wear away on the grinding surface. Retain the approved sample and compare both shipment and arrival samples against it.
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 mortars and pestles from China?
The relevant lines under heading 4419 carry 0% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do wooden mortars and pestles need food contact checks?
Yes. Check the wood, finish and any glue. Ask for material specifications and migration testing on the finished sample suited to the intended foods and use.
Do wooden mortars and pestles need CITES permits?
It depends on the timber species and applicable listing. The tariff attaches CITES controls to 4419 90 00 00. Confirm the documents with APHA, China's management authority and your customs broker.
How do I check whether the mortar and pestle work together?
Approve a matched sample. Check pestle reach, hand clearance, bowl stability and grinding with the intended ingredients, then repeat the agreed checks on production samples.