Sourcing wooden picture frames from China
Wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors and similar objects from China pay 0% UK duty, or 2% if made of specified tropical wood, with no anti-dumping duty. Wooden frames fall within the UK Timber Regulations, so the importer must carry out due diligence on the timber's legal harvest, and glazing, fixings and finishes must be safe. Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden frames.
Wooden frames for paintings, photographs and mirrors pay 0% UK duty from China, or 2% in specified tropical wood. Timber legality and glazing explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects of specified tropical wood carried 2% duty on goods from China, and those of other wood 0%, with no anti-dumping measure.
Metal frames are in heading 8306, covered in the metal ornaments guide, and moulding lengths in 4409. Confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frames of specified tropical wood | 4414 10 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Frames of other wood | 4414 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other wooden frames | 4414 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Timber legality
Wooden frames are within the scope of the UK Timber Regulations, so the operator placing them on the GB market must gather information on species and country of harvest, assess the risk of illegal timber and mitigate it. Ask for species, origin and chain of custody certificates, such as FSC.
Glazing and finish
Glass glazing can break in transit and in use; many retailers now prefer acrylic or safety glass for large frames and children's rooms. Specify moulding profile, finish, backing board, hanging fittings and whether a mount is included, and check paints and lacquers against UK REACH.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 4,000 pine photo frames 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.
What goes wrong
Picture frames fail at the corners, the glazing and the back. Mitred corners open when the joint is only stapled and the timber shrinks after shipping, glass arrives cracked when frames are packed without corner protectors, and turn buttons, easel backs and hanging fittings break or are missing. Painted and foiled mouldings chip at the corners and show colour differences between batches.
At inspection, check each corner joint for gaps and strength, drop-test packed cartons, check glazing for cracks, scratches and dust trapped behind it, test easel backs and hangers, compare moulding colour against the approved sample, and check the timber species declaration against the Timber Regulations paperwork.
Packing and inspection
Use corner protectors and individual boxes, and at inspection check corners and joints, glass, backing and hanging fittings.
Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden photo and picture frames, with timber legality, glazing and packing settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on wooden photo frames from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, wooden frames of heading 4414 carried 0% duty from China, or 2% for specified tropical wood.
Do the UK Timber Regulations apply to frames?
Yes. Wooden frames are in scope, so the importer must carry out due diligence on legal harvest.
Where are metal frames classified?
In heading 8306, at 2% from China.
Should frames use glass or acrylic?
Acrylic or safety glass reduces breakage for large frames and children's rooms.