Import of furniture from China to the European Union

China is one of the largest manufacturers of furniture in the world. The demand for furniture is additionally driven by the rapidly developing real estate market and the growing purchasing power of Chinese consumers. The import of furniture from China to the EU is popular due to its low duty rates, reasonable prices, and variety. Therefore, it’s worth checking out what Chinese manufacturers have to offer. We present all you need to know about importing furniture from China to the European Union.

Production areas of furniture in China

Regions rich in wood resources and with a well-developed furniture industry are mainly localized in northern and northeastern China, with a center in Beijing. However, factories that manufacture high-quality furniture are primarily in the east, e.g., Fujian, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces. It’s also worth paying attention to Anji city in Zhejiang province. It specializes in bamboo furniture and bamboo materials production.

Production areas of furniture - provinces

Nonetheless, the largest concentration of the furniture industry in China is located in the nearby region of the Pearl River. Among others, it covers metropolises such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. Dayong and Zhongshan, also in the Guangdong province, manufacture furniture of redwood, while Lecong and Foshan manufacture sawed wood. The most famous production area of furniture is in the city of Foshan. The Shunde District of the town is referred to as the city of furniture and the Chinese furniture wholesale center. There are shops owned by over three thousand international dealers of furniture on over twenty streets of Shunde.

Production areas of furniture - cities

Import of furniture from China to the EU – customs rates

Regardless of the product’s type or specification, one must always check its duty rates before importing. You can find the customs rates on goods imported into the European Union in the TARIC system. For instance, various furniture is in Chapter 94 of Section XX concerning “Miscellaneous manufactured articles.” Below we present an example of custom duty rates on furniture along with the applicable HS codes:

  • Wooden furniture and parts thereof (9403903090) – 2.7%
  • Seats with wooden frames (9401610000) – 0%
  • Metal cupboards with doors, shutters or flaps of a kind used in offices, exceeding 80 cm in height (9403109100) – 0%
  • Metal desks of a kind used in offices, not exceeding 80 cm in height (9403105100) – 0%
  • Wooden desks of a kind used in offices, not exceeding 80 cm in height (9403301100) – 0%
  • Wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom (9403500000) – 0%
  • Swivel seats with variable height adjustment (9401300000) – 0%
  • Dentists’, barbers’ or similar chairs and parts thereof (9402100000) – 0%
  • Wooden furniture of a kind used in the kitchen, hand-made (9403401010) – 2.7%
  • Wooden furniture of a kind used in the dining room and the living room (9403601000) – 0%
  • Furniture of plastics (9403700000) – 0%
  • Furniture of rattan, hand-made (9403830010) – 5.6%

As one can notice, the duty rates for furniture are very low. Most of them don’t exceed 6%. That’s why, its import is so popular and might be a good idea for a profitable business.

Import of furniture from China to the EU – requirements

When importing from China to the European Union, one must keep in mind that there are some requirements the products have to meet. One of the most important regulations on the EU market is CE marking, applicable to goods covered by “New Approach Directives.” Most of the furniture doesn’t require CE mark. However, in the case of furniture with built-in lighting or other electrical parts, or moving parts powered by energy different from human, CE marking will be mandatory. Therefore, it’s essential to get acquainted with correct directives, like RoHS, EMC, and LVD, when buying these products.

Phytosanitary control

The requirement of a phytosanitary control is well-known to anyone who used wooden packages in import. Raw wood can contain parasites that may endanger the target country’s ecosystem. Usually, already-made furniture is exempt from this requirement, but it might apply to semi-finished products, wood carvings, tools, woodwork, marquetry, and parquets. Council Directive 2000/29/EC phytosanitary procedures in the European Union.

Furniture trade fairs in China

One of the most effective ways of finding a Chinese supplier is by attending a specialized trade fair. Plenty of cities in China organize such events for both domestic and global visitors. They’re an excellent opportunity for importers to negotiate with manufacturers and see the products in person.

Below is a list of fairs during which goods from the furniture category are presented.

Jinan Furniture Fair

Furniture China

CIFF International Furniture Fair (Shanghai)

  • Location: JI Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao National Convention & Exhibition Center Xujing
  • Official website: ciff.furniture

Home Furnishing Expo Shenzhen

  • Location: Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center
  • Official website: hometexexpo.com

Famous Furniture Fair (Dongguan)

  • Location: Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center
  • Official website: mar.gde3f.com

Interzum Guangzhou

Import of furniture from China to the EU – Summary

Importing furniture from China to the EU is particularly popular due to its low duty rates and attractive prices. Therefore, it might be a good idea for a business. However, one must keep in mind that the import often comes with the responsibility of assuring the products’ safety. That’s why it’s essential to get to know all the applicable regulations, such as e.g., CE marking for specific furniture, beforehand. Remember also to always verify your supplier before making a payment.

If you’re interested in importing furniture from China to the US, check out our article about importing home décor from China to the US.