Sourcing wooden picture frames from China

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. For artwork to frame, see the original prints and sculpture guide.

Metal frames are in heading 8306, covered in the metal ornaments guide, and moulding lengths in 4409. Confirm the commodity code.

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.

Inspection checklist

Timber and joints: timber species and country of harvest documented for due diligence under the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013, moisture content of mouldings measured with a meter used as in EN 13183-2 so corners do not open after arrival, and mitred corners checked for gaps and pulled by hand on samples from each batch.

Glazing and boards: glass checked for cracks, scratches and trapped dust, toughened glass for large frames supplied to BS EN 12150-1 where it is specified, acrylic checked for protective film and scratches, and MDF backing boards checked against formaldehyde emission results to EN 717-1.

Fittings and packing: turn buttons, easel backs and hangers checked for fit and strength, moulding colour compared with the approved sample, and packed cartons with corner protectors passed through a drop sequence such as ISTA 2A before bulk shipment.

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. For other wall décor, see our guide to sourcing textile wallcoverings. For the reverse trade route, see exporting UK home decor to China.