Sourcing woven bamboo lampshades from China
Woven bamboo lampshades classified under the supplied bamboo lines carry 2% UK duty; the wider heading ranges from 0% to 4%. Consumer shades supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Confirm classification and assess heat and mounting risks. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven bamboo lampshades.
Confirm the lampshade classification first
Heading 4602 covers basketwork, wickerwork and other articles made directly to shape from plaiting materials or made up from goods of heading 4601. This guide concerns separate woven bamboo shades. Do not assume that bamboo construction alone settles a lampshade's classification. The table shows product formats against candidate bamboo lines, rather than separate tariff lines.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 21 October 2026, the supplied bamboo lines carry 2% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control is listed for these lines. The wider heading ranges from 0% to 4%; those endpoints are not the supplied bamboo rates.
Confirm the commodity code with your customs broker using photographs, materials, mounting details and the exact contents of the shipment. Describe any supplied electrical components separately. See the seagrass storage baskets guide for wider heading context.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made woven bamboo pendant shades, subject to classification | 4602 11 00 10 | 2% | None |
| Other woven bamboo pendant shades, subject to classification | 4602 11 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the mounting ring and intended lamp
Specify shade diameter, height, opening dimensions, mounting-ring position and frame material. Send the factory the intended shade holder or a dimensioned drawing. Agree whether a reducer is included, how the shade is retained and its orientation in use. Approve the assembled shade on the intended fitting rather than judging photographs alone.
Agree bamboo strip width, weave spacing, rim binding, finish and acceptable natural colour variation against a physical sample. Assess the intended lamp arrangement for heat exposure and contact between the shade and bulb. Ask a competent testing provider to assess suitable lamp-use instructions and restrictions before approving the design.
Consumer lampshades supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include heat, sharp fibres, exposed frame ends and mounting failure in the assessment. Ask the supplier to disclose coatings and anti-mould treatments, and agree drying and packing arrangements.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 hand-made woven bamboo lampshades, assuming this classification is confirmed; values are illustrative, not a quotation. under 4602 11 00 10, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 2% is £184. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,384, so it is £1,876.80. Import taxes total £2,060.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £184 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Mounting: fit sampled shades to the approved holder, check ring alignment and retention, and look for loose joints or a shade that hangs unevenly.
Weave and finish: compare spacing and colour with the approved sample, inspect cut ends and bindings, and check for splinters, exposed wire and finish transfer.
Moisture and packing: check against the agreed moisture criteria, look for mould and musty odours, and unpack nested shades for crushed rims or distorted frames.
Traceability: where reasonable, check that the product or packaging identifies the producer's name and address and the product reference or applicable batch. Record results against the sample using the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A shade can match the overall dimensions yet fail to fit because its mounting ring sits at the wrong height or its reducer does not seat securely. An uneven frame makes the shade hang crookedly. Changes in weave spacing alter the appearance when lit, while loose cut ends can snag during installation.
Tight nesting can distort frames and conceal damp bamboo. Unpack arrival samples fully and compare mounting, shape and weave with the approved sample. Keep mouldy or damaged stock separate while the supplier investigates. Reassess the sample if the factory changes the frame, finish or mounting arrangement.
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 woven bamboo lampshades from China?
The supplied bamboo lines under heading 4602 carry 2%, with no trade remedies or suspensions listed. Confirm that your particular lampshade belongs in these lines before using that rate.
Does every bamboo lampshade belong in heading 4602?
Do not assume so from the material alone. Give your customs broker photographs, construction details, mounting information and a list of everything supplied, including any electrical components.
What should I check on a bamboo lampshade sample?
Check mounting-ring fit and retention, frame alignment, weave spacing, sharp ends and finish. Assess heat exposure with the intended lamp arrangement and agree suitable use instructions.
How can I reduce mould and crushing in transit?
Agree drying and moisture acceptance criteria, inspect before packing, and approve protection for rims and mounting rings. Unpack nested arrival samples to check hidden mould and deformation.