Importing from China
China is a major maker of tiles, porcelain stoneware and ceramic sanitaryware, and buying at source can pay off handsomely. But ceramics have a logistics quirk that changes everything: they are very dense cargo, so you hit the container’s weight limit long before its volume. On top of that, the EU keeps a history of anti-dumping duties on Chinese ceramic tiles and, as a construction product, it requires CE marking and a Declaration of Performance (DoP). Here is how it ships, which taxes and certificates apply and the critical points.
Tiles are dense cargo: here cost and the limit are set by weight, not volume. A container has a payload limit—on the order of ~26–28 t depending on type—and with ceramics you reach it with the container half empty on space. That is why it almost always moves in a full container (FCL): filling it by volume makes no sense once you are maxed out on kilos. Plan the order in tonnes per container, not cubic metres.
Groupage (LCL) only fits for samples or very small orders, and air freight is ruled out by weight. Packaging is critical: ceramics travel in boxes on strapped, shrink-wrapped pallets, well chocked; loose stowage breaks pieces and unbalances the pallet weight. Demand uniform pallets and load distribution that does not damage the container floor.
Ceramic tiles and slabs for flooring and walls are classified under HS 6907; ceramic sanitaryware (basins, toilets) under HS 6910. The base duty on entry into the EU is usually moderate, but the deciding factor is anti-dumping (see critical points). Import VAT is recoverable if you import as a business with your EORI and the declaration is in your name; remember the VAT base is CIF + duty + anti-dumping.
As a construction product, ceramic tile falls under the Construction Products Regulation: it needs CE marking and a Declaration of Performance (DoP) under the harmonised standard EN 14411, with tests (strength, water absorption, slip resistance…). Without CE + DoP it cannot be sold for construction in the EU. Ask the supplier for this documentation before shipping.
The logistics key: with ceramics you reach the container’s weight limit with space to spare. Design the order in tonnes per container (not CBM) so you do not pay freight for air or exceed the payload. Good pallet distribution avoids axle overweight and damage to the container floor.
The EU has kept anti-dumping duties on ceramic tiles originating in China for years, with anti-circumvention measures and successive reviews. The amount can be high and depends on the heading and the manufacturer; confirm it with your broker before buying, as it can decide whether the order works.
As a construction product, it needs CE marking and a DoP under EN 14411, with the tests that declare its performance (water absorption, strength, slip resistance). Without this documentation it cannot legally be installed on site; require it from the supplier and check it matches the batch.
Ceramics chip and break with poor stowage, and the gauge/shade must be uniform across pallets. We recommend pre-shipment inspection and all-risk insurance (cheap, ~0.1 % of value); document losses on arrival.
To move tiles, the usual route is sea freight in a full container (FCL) because of the weight, and we handle your customs clearance. Tell us the tonnes and m² of the order and we will advise on load distribution.
Note: duties, anti-dumping rights and rules (CE, DoP, EN 14411, payload limits) can change and depend on the exact heading, manufacturer and destination country. This guide describes the general situation at the time of writing; confirm it with your customs broker before deciding.
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