Import Duty from China to UK
Exactly what you’ll pay to import from China to UK — duty, VAT and clearance, worked out before you order, not after the container lands.
Get your landed-cost quote
Tell us what you’re importing to UK. We reply on WhatsApp, usually within a working day.
Factory-direct pricing
We buy at the Foshan factory gate — the same piece you see online, without the retail or middleman markup.
Quality checked before it sails
Photos and inspection at the factory and again at our warehouse, so problems are caught in China, not at your door.
Door-to-door to UK
Sea and air freight to Felixstowe, HMRC’s CDS (Customs Declaration Service) clearance and last-mile — handled end to end.
This is the practical guide to import duty from China to UK: how the duty is calculated, what tax stacks on top, and the rate by product category. There is no UK–China trade agreement, so the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) MFN rates apply. The good news for furniture importers: much furniture (HS 9403) is rated 0%, with some categories at 2–4%. The duty is charged on the customs value plus freight to the UK border. Duty is often 0% on furniture, but 20% import VAT applies to the landed value. If you are VAT-registered you can use Postponed VAT Accounting and reclaim it — so the real cost is mainly the duty and freight.
How duty and tax are calculated
There is no UK–China trade agreement, so the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) MFN rates apply. The good news for furniture importers: much furniture (HS 9403) is rated 0%, with some categories at 2–4%. The duty is charged on the customs value plus freight to the UK border.
20% VAT then applies to customs value + duty + freight to the UK border. Duty is often 0% on furniture, but 20% import VAT applies to the landed value. If you are VAT-registered you can use Postponed VAT Accounting and reclaim it — so the real cost is mainly the duty and freight. VAT-registered importers reclaim import VAT via Postponed VAT Accounting on their return.
Import duty by product category
| Product | HS heading | UK rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | 9403 | 0% | Most HS 9403 furniture is 0% under the UK Global Tariff — 20% VAT still applies. |
| LED & Lighting | 9405 | 2.7–3.7% | HS 9405 carries a small UKGT duty; UKCA/CE marking expected. |
| Marble & Tiles | 6802 / 6907 | 0–5% | Worked stone and ceramic tile; verify the 6802/6907 subheading. |
| Mattresses & Bedding | 9404 | 0–3.7% | HS 9404; flammability regulations (BS 7177) apply to UK bedding. |
| Sanitaryware & Kitchen | 6910 / 7324 | 0–6.5% | Ceramic sanitaryware 6910; some steel kitchenware carries duty. |
| Machinery & Equipment | 84xx | 0–2.7% | Mostly low UKGT rates; UKCA marking and safety compliance expected. |
Rates are indicative of the current schedule; your exact rate depends on the full HS classification of your goods. We confirm it before you order.
Reviewed by verified import specialists
The duty, tax and clearance guidance on this page reflects HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) practice and the applicable tariff schedule as of August 2026. Rates and procedures can change — we re-verify this page each quarter and confirm the rate for your specific HS code before you commit to an order. This is practical guidance, not a customs ruling on your particular goods.
A worked landed-cost example
On a US$20,000 order with US$2,500 freight and insurance (customs value US$22,500):
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customs value (goods + freight + insurance) | US$22,500 |
| Customs duty (low UK Global Tariff duty — much furniture at 0%) | US$0 (0% furniture) |
| VAT on customs value + duty + freight to the UK border | US$4,500 (20% VAT, reclaimable) |
| Duty + tax total | US$4,500 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty from China to the UK?
There is no UK–China trade agreement, so the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) MFN rates apply. The good news for furniture importers: much furniture (HS 9403) is rated 0%, with some categories at 2–4%. The duty is charged on the customs value plus freight to the UK border.
Is duty charged on the goods value or the total?
On the customs value, which includes freight and insurance to the border, not the factory invoice alone. That is why the landed cost is always higher than the factory price.
What tax is charged on top of duty?
20% VAT on customs value + duty + freight to the UK border. VAT-registered importers reclaim import VAT via Postponed VAT Accounting on their return.
How do I find the exact duty rate for my product?
Send us the product and we classify it to the correct HS code, then give you the exact current rate and a full landed cost — free, before you commit to an order.
Get your landed cost before you commit to an order
Send us your product list or a supplier link. We classify the goods, confirm the rate against the HS code, and come back with one landed-cost figure delivered to your door in UK — goods, freight, duty, tax and local charges in a single number.
Related guides
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Six categories we move most for UK buyers — each with the real duty rate and a factory-direct quote.
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Living, bedroom and dining sets straight from the Foshan factory floor.
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Chandeliers, track, architectural and outdoor lighting, CE/SAA-ready.
Duty & sourcing for UKMarble, Stone & Tiles
Slabs, porcelain and mosaics — heavy cargo we consolidate to cut freight.
Duty & sourcing for UKMattresses & Bedding
Pocket-spring and foam, compressed and roll-packed to save CBM.
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Basins, tubs, faucets and cabinetry for fit-outs and projects.
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Production lines and equipment, inspected before they ship.
Duty & sourcing for UKGet your landed cost before you commit to an order
Send your product list or a supplier link. We classify the goods, confirm the duty against the HS code, and come back with one number to your door in UK — goods, freight, duty, tax and local charges.
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