Sourcing multi-aperture wood frames from China
Wooden multi-aperture photo frames from China carry UK duty of 0% to 2%, depending on the wood species, with no anti-dumping duty listed. Importers placing wooden frames on the Great Britain market must carry out timber legality due diligence. Check aperture layouts, glazing and hangers. Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden multi-aperture photo frames.
Duty depends on the wood
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 4414 covers wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects. Wooden multi-aperture photo frames of specified tropical wood carry 2% duty from China; other tropical wood and other wooden frames carry 0%. Pine and non-tropical hardwood frames share the same commodity line. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches a CITES import control. Check the declared species and whether the finished frame falls within the listing. Official guidance requires permits for species listed in Annex A, B or C; ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable documentation for your China shipment. The tariff file also lists CITES export control and cultural-goods export licensing, which should be checked separately if you plan to export the frames.
Confirm the wood species and construction before choosing the commodity code. A supplier's description of the product as a collage frame does not settle its classification. See the wider wooden picture frames guide for the broader heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-aperture photo frames of specified tropical wood | 4414 10 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Multi-aperture photo frames of other tropical wood | 4414 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Pine multi-aperture photo frames | 4414 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the aperture layout and frame assembly
Supply a drawing showing each photo size, visible opening, spacing and orientation. Distinguish the photo dimensions from the smaller opening that holds its edges behind the mount. State whether the product uses a shared mount and glazing sheet or separate openings, and specify overall dimensions, moulding profile, wood species, finish, backing board and hanging orientation.
Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether the wooden frames fall within the UK Timber Regulations and which requirements apply to the business first placing them on the Great Britain market. Gather species and harvest-country information to support an illegal-harvest risk assessment and any mitigation advised. Consumer-use products also fall within the scope of the general product safety rules in Great Britain. Specify secure glazing, retained backing and hanging fittings suitable for the complete frame, and agree an approved assembly sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 4,000 pine multi-aperture photo frames; illustrative order, not a quote 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
Apertures: measure the visible openings and spacing against the drawing, insert the intended photos and check that mount edges hold them without covering the agreed image area. Check alignment with the frame held in each intended orientation.
Timber and assembly: match the species declaration and harvest documents to the order. Check moisture, corner gaps, loose joints, bowed mouldings and finish differences against the approved sample.
Glazing and backing: check for cracks, scratches and trapped dust. Remove and refit the backing, operate the retaining tabs and confirm that neither the glazing nor the mount shifts during handling.
Hangers and packing: test the fitted hangers with the complete assembly, check their position and inspect protective packing. At inspection, open cartons after an agreed packing test and look for damaged corners, displaced mounts and broken glazing.
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What goes wrong
A frame can match its overall dimensions while its openings crop the wrong parts of the photos. Uneven aperture spacing, skewed mounts and loose backing make the display look misaligned. Corners can open after timber shrinks, large glazing sheets can crack in transit, and poorly positioned hangers leave the frame tilted. Approve the assembled sample with actual photos and check packed production frames 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 multi-aperture photo frames from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 2% for specified tropical wood and 0% for other tropical wood or other wooden frames. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
Do wooden multi-aperture frames need timber due diligence?
Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether the wooden frames are in scope and which requirements apply to the business first placing them on the Great Britain market. Gather timber information to support an illegal-harvest risk assessment and any mitigation advised.
Should I specify glass or acrylic glazing?
Specify the material before sampling. Glass needs protection against breakage; acrylic needs checks for scratches and protective film. Check the complete frame with its chosen glazing and hangers.
How do I check that photos fit a multi-aperture frame?
Give the factory both photo dimensions and visible aperture dimensions. Insert the intended photos into the assembled sample and check cropping, spacing, orientation and retention behind the mount.