Sourcing wooden poster-hanger frames from China

Timber species and the duty code

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 4414 covers wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects. Poster-hanger frames of specified tropical wood carry 2% duty from China; other tropical wood and non-tropical wooden frames carry 0%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.

The tariff attaches CITES import control. Where the timber is subject to CITES permit controls, obtain the required permit; ask your customs broker to confirm the species-specific requirements and Chinese export documents before ordering. The record also lists CITES export control and a cultural-object export licence entry, which should be checked with the broker for any later export.

Confirm the commodity code using the timber species, construction and photographs of the complete hanger. Pine and oak examples share the non-tropical code. See the wooden picture frames guide for the wider heading and the import duty and VAT guide for the calculation method.

Specify the rails, grip and hanging cord

Specify timber species, rail length and profile, finish, poster width, paper thickness and whether the grip uses magnets or mechanical clamps. Define what each set contains, including the top and bottom rails, mating pieces, cord and fittings. Approve a sample with the actual paper or fabric you intend to display.

For magnetic designs, specify magnet positions, polarity and retention method. Agree checks for grip across the rail, repeated opening and resistance to magnet detachment. Define cord material, attachment points and the intended display weight. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe during normal or reasonably foreseeable use.

Confirm with the relevant authority whether these wooden frames fall within the UK Timber Regulations' scope and what due diligence is required of the importer first placing them on the Great Britain market. Gather species and harvest-origin information, assess illegal timber risk and consider how to mitigate it. Collect the supporting harvest and supply-chain documents before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4,000 pine wooden poster-hanger frame sets 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

Rails and finish: check length, straightness, matching profiles, splinters, sanding and colour against the approved sample. Look for damp timber, mould and chipped ends on arrival.

Paper grip: hang the intended poster and check for slipping, uneven clamping and paper marks. Open and close magnetic rails repeatedly and check for loose magnets or reversed polarity.

Cord and fittings: pull the cord attachments, check knots and seating, and hang the complete assembly with the intended display. Check that all ordered components are present.

Packing: check that matching rails stay together, finished surfaces are separated and rail ends are protected. At inspection, unpack cartons and look for rubbing, distortion and missing fittings.

What goes wrong

A hanger can hold thin paper but slip with heavier prints or fabric. Reversed magnets prevent the rails from closing, poorly retained magnets come loose, and rough clamping faces mark the artwork. A sample approved without the intended poster material can miss these faults.

Long rails can bow after shipment, leaving gaps along the grip. Cord anchors can pull out and unfinished ends can splinter. Keep the approved sample and component list available when checking arrivals, and compare the delivered timber declaration with the due diligence 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.