Importing guide · China to UK
Importing upholstered chairs and sofas with wooden frames from China to the UK
Upholstered seating for homes must pass the UK furniture fire safety tests, and wooden frames bring the timber due diligence rules too.
Rates checked against the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026. Your exact product may fall under a different code: check it before you order.
What to watch
- Get fire test reports for the fillings and the cover fabric before you order.
- Since 30 October 2025, new products no longer need the display label, but the permanent label is still required.
- Ask for the frame’s wood species and country of harvest for your timber due diligence.
The UK rules
General Product Safety Regulations 2005
General product safety
- Supply only products that are safe in normal and foreseeable use.
- Give users the warnings and instructions they need, in English.
- Act if a product turns out to be unsafe, including telling the authorities.
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, amended 2025
Furniture fire safety
- Make sure the fillings and covers pass the fire resistance tests.
- Since 30 October 2025, new products no longer need the display label, and some baby and young children’s products are out of scope.
UK Timber Regulations (Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013)
Timber due diligence
- Don’t place illegally harvested timber on the market.
- Apply a due diligence system before you import: gather the species, quantity, supplier, country of harvest and evidence the timber was harvested legally, then assess and reduce the risk.
- Keep records; the Office for Product Safety and Standards enforces the rules.
Work it out for your order
- Landed-cost calculatorSet up for code 9401 61 00 00: add your price, quantity and freight.
- Price checkIs a quote too cheap? Compare it with what UK importers declare per kilo.
- Product rules checkerThe rules above, with a checklist to print and send to the supplier.
- Quote comparerCompare suppliers by landed cost.
- Spec sheet and AQLPut the quality standard in writing, with the inspection sample size.
Questions about importing upholstered chairs and sofas with wooden frames
What is the import duty on upholstered chairs and sofas with wooden frames from China?
Goods from China under commodity code 9401 61 00 00 pay 0% customs duty, with no anti-dumping duty, and 20% import VAT on top. Checked against the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026.
What rules apply to upholstered chairs and sofas with wooden frames imported into the UK?
General product safety, Furniture fire safety, Timber due diligence. As the importer you are responsible for making sure the upholstered chairs and sofas with wooden frames meet them before they go on sale.
How much does the UK import from China under this code?
£591.4m in the 12 months to July 2026, under the 8-digit code 94016100 (upholstered seats, with wooden frames), according to HMRC’s overseas trade statistics.
Importing upholstered chairs and sofas with wooden frames?
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