China is among the biggest furniture markets in the world. The rising housing market and the increasing purchasing power of Chinese consumers ignite the demand for furniture. Due to deforestation, Chinese manufacturers usually process wood imported from other Asian countries or eastern parts of Russia. Export-oriented companies emerged in this high-competitive market, where dozens of small and medium-sized producers are struggling to get a better share.
Importing Chinese furniture
Chinese furniture comes in all possible shapes, colors, and types. There are several regional production bases in China, most of them located in the Pearl River Delta region.
- Dayong and Zhongshan in Guangdong Province provide redwood furniture.
- Lecong and Foshan process furniture materials. Anji County in Zhejiang is the capital of bamboo furniture and bamboo raw materials.
- Wood often comes from Northeastern China, which also has a number of furniture companies.
Below we present duty rates for the most common products:
EU duty rate for furniture
- Wooden chair 0%
- Wooden sofa 0%
- Garden umbrellas 4.7%
- Handmade rattan furniture 5.6%
- Fitted kitchen units 2.7%
- Furniture made of plastics 0%
- Swivel seats with variable height adjustment 0%
- Fittings for furniture: ornaments 6.5%
- Metal furniture: Cupboards with doors 0%
- Wooden furniture parts 2.7%
- Dentists’, barbers’, or similar chairs and parts thereof 0%
US duty rate for furniture
- Wooden chair 0%
- Wooden sofa 0%
- Garden umbrellas 6.5%
- Handmade rattan furniture 0%
- Fitted kitchen units 0%
- Furniture made of plastics 0%
- Swivel seats with variable height adjustment 0%
- Fittings for furniture: ornaments 3.4%
- Metal furniture: Cupboards with doors 0%
- Wooden furniture parts 0%
- Dentists’, barbers’, or similar chairs and parts thereof 0%
US duty rates seem to be considerably lower than EU duty rates. But still, many categories of products are exempted from duty, which is undoubtedly a certain opportunity for potential importers.
Furniture regulations
- The requirement for the phytosanitary certificate is known to everyone who uses wood packaging in import. Raw wood was known to contain dangerous pests, which may negatively influence the local ecosystem. Usually, finished furniture is not subjected to this requirement. It may be required for carved wood, semi-processed furniture, tools, joinery, marquetry, and parquet. In the EU, Council Directive 2000/29/EC indicates protective measures against the introduction of harmful organisms.
- In the case of upholstered furniture and mattresses sourced from China, fire safety requirements should be met. Furniture may be accompanied by documented proof of compliance (EU member states’ regulations may vary).
- Furniture designed for children, for example, bunk beds (duty rate 0%), have to meet specific safety requirements.
To check duty rates for other commodities, please refer to our other articles: