How to Import Tile from China: A Complete Guide

Would you like to import exclusive tiles from China for your projects to save half costs?Tiles made in China are most sought after in the world because of their extraordinary quality. China has become the leading global manufacturers of tiles because of the materials and technology, cost-effective solutions in production, and huge domestic and regional potential markets.

Many importers opt to import tiles from China because the cost of production is at least 50% lower in China than in other countries.This is because,most countries in the world do not have an anti-dumping duty on China tiles. Tile exporters in China are also entitled to a 13% tax refund from the Chinese government depending on the type of tile and the supplier.

The most common complaint of China-made tile importers is how to choose the best tile supplier in China with the highest quality and at competitive prices. There are over 3,000 tile suppliers in China and most of them have a production output of about 25,000 square meters of tiles per day.

If you are planning on importing tiles from China, this guide will be extremely useful.

How to import tile from China- Quick Links

1、Classification of Tile Produced in China

2、Choosing the Right China Tiles

3、China Tiles Design & Specifications Guide

4、Where to Find Tile Manufacturers and Suppliers in China?

5、What Kind of Tile Will Bring You Business?

6、Importing Ceramics Tiles for Your Projects – 6 Things You Need to Know

7、Frequently Asked Questions about China Tiles

8、How to Import Tiles from China?

9、Problems You May Have When Import Tile from China

10、How Foshan Sourcing Help You Import Tiles from China?

1、Classification of Tile Produced in China

When you import tiles from China, you may feel confused because there are many tile descriptions. Even the same kind of tile has several names. Below we category tiles by materials and applications for your better understanding about tiles and how they can be used.

1.1 Types of Tiles Based on Materials

1.1.1 Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the most common types of tiles found in the home. Because of their durability, ceramic tiles are ideal for any room in the home including bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, etc.Ceramic tiles are easy to install and clean. They are not porous so dirt, dust, bacteria, and germs do not stick on them.

Ceramic tiles come in hundreds of styles that can match any design of your home or room. Ceramic tiles are available at great price points.

1.1.2 Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain Tiles can mimic the look of brick, natural stone, or wood. They come with the same elegant finish as ceramic tiles but are maintenance-free and do not weather. They come in a wide range of colors, designs, and styles.

Porcelain tiles can be used indoors and outdoors because they will not crack, fade, or freeze. These tiles are ideal for kitchen floors and backsplashes, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas.

1.1.3 Marbles Tiles

Marble tiles are the most attractive tiles in the world. Marble tiles may be costly but they add a touch of refinement and elegance to any room. They also add depth and texture because they come as veined or patterned.

Marble tiles require a lot of maintenance because they are prone to stains and scratches unless they are applied with a sealant. They can also be difficult to clean. Marble tiles are ideal for low-traffic areas.

1.1.4 Wood Tiles

Wood tiles, wood look tiles, or wood effect tiles are inspired by aged, weathered, or reclaimed wood. These tiles bring out the vintage feel and look of wood. Wooden flooring tiles are environmentally friendly.Most of the wood look tiles are ceramic,which means the water absorption is higher than 0.5%.Now many tile manufacturers can produce those tiles very closer design to natural wood.

1.1.5 Limestone Tiles

Limestone tiles are natural stone tiles are made from polished and textured sedimentary carbonate rock. These tiles deliver a natural appearance that brings back ancient design and architecture. Limestone is easy to cut and shape for specific patterns and applications.

Limestone tiles are ideal for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes. They are not ideal for high-traffic areas because they are prone to scratching and staining unless they are sealed. Limestone tiles are also difficult to clean.

1.1.6 Slate Tiles

Slate tiles are hard and strong, thus they can be used for interior and exterior applications. They are beautiful, fire-resistant, and have anti-slip properties. They are available in a plethora of colors and shapes.

Slate tiles are ideal for kitchen backsplash, flooring, (mudrooms, hallway, foyer, and patio), and roofing. They are resistant to breaks and scratches.

1.1.7 Granite Tiles

Granite is a natural stone that has a similar feel and looks to marble. Granite tiles are a cheaper alternative to marble.

Granite tiles are ideal for laundry rooms and spaces where performance is a top priority yet with a lower cost.

The only disadvantage is,granite tiles are not so nice as other kinds of tiles.

1.1.8 Terrazzo Tiles

Terrazzo tiles are made from various materials including marble, metallic, glass, and natural aggregates such as the mother of pearl. This multipurpose tile is noticeably shiny and polished on the surface.

Terrazzo tiles are sturdy, thus it is commonly used in public buildings. They require frequent refinishing to make them look always shiny and smooth.

1.1.9 Mosaic Tiles

There are many kinds of mosaic like ceramic,glass,mental,wood,etc.Mosaics are known to be the safest building materials and the most eco-friendly. They are available in various colors, shapes, finishes, and sizes.  They are also known for their unique appearance and beauty.Mosaics can be used in many places such as pool,bathroom,kitchen,lobby.The only disadvantage is the price is higher than other kinds of tiles.

1.1.10 Sintered Tile

Sintered tile is made of natural stones including inorganic clay, silica, feldspar powder, etc. These materials are machine pressed with over 15000 tons of pressure. The veins on the surface are created by a special high-definition inkjet with the surface treated using a special technique.Though thin but tt has strong quality to resist chemical, abrasion, scratching,  impact & thermal shock.
Now sintered tile is very popular in China.Not only we can use as floor and wall tiles,but can use in furniture and home decor like dining table top,kitchen cabinet table.

1.1.11 Handmade Tile

Handmade tiles are more and more popular since 2022.They have a wide range of colors,patterns,and are versatile to use for different types of design schemes like bar,hotel,villa,school,etc.Handmade tiles are suitable for both floor and wall with very nice popular patterns for your choices.

1.2 Types of Tiles Based on Application 

Tiles are categorized based on their applications allowing consumers to understand what type of tile is best for their needs. Tiles are classified based on their types, durability, color, and design.

There is a specific type of tile depending on the surface it is going to be applied to.

1.2.1 Floor Tiles

Choosing the right floor tiles is dependent on which part of the house they will be used. Flooring tiles can either be glazed or unglazed.

There is a lot of foot traffic in outdoor spaces, thus flooring tiles such as outdoor ceramic tiles need to be tolerable, durable, and sturdy. They also need to be easy to clean.

Ceramic tiles contain a coefficient of friction (COF) rating of at least 0.50 and a minimum level of resistance making them ideal for outdoor surfaces.

1.2.2 Wall Tiles

Wall tiles are typically used for interior and exterior walls. They are made of ceramic and are often available in off-white and while colors. They can be glazed or unglazed.

Wall tiles are produced softer, slicker, and less durable than floor tiles. They should, however, still have a 10% absorption level.

1.2.3 Roofing Tiles

Roofing tiles from China are available in:

1.2.4 Partition Tiles

Partition tiles are used as building partitions to divide 2 spaces or rooms. These tiles are small in size and almost lightweight. They are available in porcelain, ceramic, and glass tiles.

1.2.5 Bathroom Tiles

Bathroom tiles are small in size compared to tiles for other rooms in the house. Small mosaic tiles are the most ideal bathroom floor tiles because they have more resistance. Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, are the best option for bathroom walls.

Larger textured terrazzo and slate tiles are also ideal because they have anti-slip properties.

1.2.6 Stair Tiles

Indoor and outdoor stairs should be covered with durable materials that match the aesthetics of the décor surrounding the space. Porcelain tiles are popular for indoor and outdoor steps because they are durable, easy to clean, and easy to install. They are also available in a variety of designs.

1.2.7 Outdoor Tiles 

Outdoor tiles need to be durable, strong, and ready to face any weather condition. They should also be able to withstand high traffic.  They should not crack when exposed to intense heat and should not be slippery when wet.

Porcelain tiles are fired at high temperatures and will not crack under intense heat and in cold. They are also resistant to staining and mildew. Their shiny look will not fade over time. They come with anti-slip properties, too.

Porcelain tiles are stylish. They come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and textures. They can also resemble the texture of real stone.

1.2.8 Pool Tiles

It is extremely important to choose the right tiles for the swimming pool area. Pool tiles are specially glazed to make them corrosion-resistant. Pool tiles allow you to walk at the edge of the pool on a safe and warm surface.

1.2.9 Kitchen Tiles

Kitchen floors are one of the hardest areas in the house. The kitchen gets a lot of torture every day making it always dirty, oily, grimy, and greasy.

Glazed ceramic tiles are ideal choice for kitchen floors. The transparent layer of ceramic tiles makes them durable and easy to clean. Porcelain tiles are more water-resistant than ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are also more resistant to high-foot traffic, thus they are more suitable for commercial kitchens.

2、Choosing the Right China Tiles

2.1 Tile Sizes

Tile sizes are from 2 inches to 18 inches. Floor titles are classified as:

• Small

These are the most demandable by importers. They are available in 2 inches, 4 inches, and 6 inches. 2-inch and 4-inch tiles are used in shower and bathroom tiles.

• Medium

Medium-sized tiles are 12 inches. They are also in demand by importers.

• Large

Large tikes are 18 inches and used to create more illusion. They have fewer grout lines making them look tidy and neat.

Some tiles are also available in 24 inches. These tiles are used in larger spaces and need specialized tools to install.

2.2 Shapes

Square and rectangle are the most common shapes of tiles. Some tiles are available in octagon, hexagon, and pentagon shapes.

2.3 Shades

Shades refer to the color tone of the tiles. Different batches usually come in different tones of the same shade. It is important to choose the same colored tone.

2.4 Patterns

Tiles differ in patterns that refer to their natural looks speck pattern on granite and natural stones. The patterns of porcelain and ceramic tiles depend on the manufacturer. Since manufacturers produce tiles based on the demand of customers, raw materials available sometimes contribute to the type of pattern.

Chinese manufacturers use digital ink injection to make Chinese tile designs unique. This new technology allows manufacturers to create various patterns on glazed ceramic wall tiles and floor tiles including marble, rustic, wood, and other effects.

2.5 Textures

Tile textures could be in semi-polished, matte, textured, or bush-hammered. Semi-polished and matt finishes are achieved by adding a glaze finish on the tiles.

Textured tile is ideal for moist and wet floors. Textured and bush-hammered tiles are ideal for terrazzo, slate, and granite tiles.

2.6 Coating

Tiles can either be glazed or unglazed.

A:Glazed Tiles

Glaze tiles come with enamel and liquid coatings and are applied to ceramic and porcelain tiles. Glaze coatings can be applied to glossy or dull tiles notwithstanding color finish.

B:Unglazed Tiles

Unglazed tiles come in the natural appearance and color of the mineral deposit remaining in the clay from where the tiles were prepared from. Unglazed tiles come with a plain and natural appearance.

Unglazed tiles are more absorbent than glazed tiles because they are not coating with any liquid glass protection. They, however, have prone to staining unless they are applied with a sealant.

2.7 Ratings

A:Tile Ratings for Ceramic Floor Tiles from China and Ceramic Wall Tiles China

Ceramic floor and wall tiles come in five grades depending on their toughness and durability.

• Grade 1. These are the least durable and tough of tiles. They are not suited for high-traffic areas. They are prone to breaking and are, therefore, only applicable for wall application.
• Grade 2. They are suitable for low-traffic areas and soft usages such as in walls and bathroom floors.
• Grade 3. Suitable for light-traffic areas in residential and commercial buildings especially in kitchens, and floors that have low traffic. They are also suitable for countertops.
• Grade 4. These tiles are suitable for high-traffic areas. They are also good for countertops.
• Grade 5. These tiles are durable and robust. They can tolerate the pressure in high-traffic areas. They are ideal for hospitals, shopping malls, hotel lobbies, airports, and all busy zones.

B:Porcelain Tile Ratings

Chinese porcelain tile ratings use the PEI rating system which has the same concepts as ceramic tile ratings.  PEI ratings are based on the stiffness of the tiles.

• Group 0 or PEI 0

Tiles with this rating is recommended only for walls. They have low hardiness and cannot tolerate even the lowest foot traffic.

• Group 1 or PEI 1

These tiles are ideal for light-traffic areas such as bathrooms. They are also suitable for residential and commercial walls.

• Group 2 or PEI 2

These tiles can tolerate slight traffic areas where slippers and soft-soled shoes are used. They are not suitable for kitchens, stairs, and entrance hall floors.

• Group 3 or PEI 3

These tiles are ideal for residential and light commercial spaces including interior walls. Residential bathroom floors, offices, and countertops. They should never be used at industrial entryways because they cannot tolerate heavy foot weight.

• Group 4 or PEI 4

Ideal for moderate traffic areas such as kitchens, hotels, restaurants, hospital corridors and lobbies. They can also be used in small, and large buildings.

• Group 5 or PEI 5

They are ideal for areas with high foot traffic and areas prone to wetness and scratches such as malls. Public buildings, building entryways. This type of tiles is also used in pool sides. These are strong tiles.

3、China Tiles Design & Specifications Guide

China tiles vary in design and specifications.

3.1 Differences between Tiles

It can be confusing to choose the best tiles as there are many of them and they almost all look the same. Each type of tile, however, has its features and strengths.

3.1.1 Ceramic Vs Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are more superior to ceramic tiles. The temperatures they are baked in give differentiate the toughness of ceramic and porcelain. Porcelain tiles are baked in higher heat. Ceramic tiles are produced at low temperatures.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles, though, are suitable for high-traffic areas because of their durability. They also both are available in various designs, sizes, shapes, patterns, and textures.According to our past 12 years exporting tiles experiences,ceramic tiles are more suitable for bathroom and kitchen room.Porcelain tiles are good choices for interior spaces like dining room,bedroom,living room,ect.

3.1.2 Marble Vs Limestone Vs Granite Tiles

Marble, limestone, and granite tiles are suitable for homes, as well as small and large buildings. Although they are all tough and durable, they have some differences.

While granite tiles are resistant to stains and scratches, they are not resistant to cracks. Marble may be more porous than granite but it can be stained by acid liquids such as juices and red wines.

3.2 Choosing the Best Tiles

There are different factors to consider when choosing the best tiles for different areas.

3.2.1 Best Tiles for Bathroom

Small tiles are for small rooms such as bathrooms. Small mosaic tiles are especially suited for bathroom floors because they have more friction. Mosaic tiles have very nice designs and colors for you to choose.

Larger tiles are suitable for bathroom floors as long as they are textured or hammered to prevent slipping such as slate and terrazzo tiles. This depends on what size your bathroom is.Larger tiles can help make your bathroom look spacious. Ceramic tiles are great for bathroom walls if considering firmness.Of course,now many young people prefer using porcelain tiles for bathroom wall just for good looking.

3.2.2 Best Tiles for Kitchen

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are more popularly used for kitchen floors than natural stone because they are resistant to spills. Limestone tiles are also great for kitchen floors because they are durable and attractive. Limestone and mosaic tiles are porous. Limestone tiles are also harder and do not easily scratch as compared to granite and marble.

Ceramic tiles are ideal for backsplashes because they can withstand moisture and heat. Sealed ceramic tiles are suitable for sinks and countertops.

3.2.3 Best Tiles for Shower

Textured and bush-hammered tiles are great for shower rooms. They have a rough texture to prevent slipping. Marble, porcelain, and glass tiles are most suitable for shower room floors. Porcelain tiles are perfect for shower room walls, too.

3.2.4 Best Tiles for Bedroom

Natural stone tiles are the most ideal for ground-floor bedrooms because of their sturdiness. They are suitable for upper-floor bedrooms, too because they are heavy and can carry a lot of loads and an unstable subfloor.

Natural stone tiles are also ideal for chilly climates because they are better at distributing radiant heat than wood.

If you condier more about tile cost,porcelain tiles are much more cheaper than natural stones.

3.2.5 Best Tiles for Laundry Room

Porcelain tiles are resistant to moisture and are durable making them ideal for mudrooms and laundry rooms.

3.2.6 Best Tiles for Walkways

Marble, granite, and limestone are suitable for walkways, around the pool, and outdoor kitchens. They can withstand extreme changes in temperature. Slate is a good alternative for more textured surfaces to prevent slipping.

3.2.7 Best Tiles for Entryways

Entryways, compared to any rooms, are more prone to extreme temperature changes, thus durable floor tiles such as natural stones and slate are more suitable than vinyl and wood. Stone and slate tiles have more texture, too.

4、Where to Find Tile Manufacturers and Suppliers in China?

When you decide to import tile from China. You may come across a question: where to find the tile manufacturers or suppliers in China.

Most cities and provinces in China specialize in the manufacture of specific products. Most suppliers of a certain product are grouped together in one area. This concept makes it easy for importers to source products from China. If you are sourcing tile from China, here are the places you need to look into:

4.1 Where are the Tile Cluster Manufacturing Cities in China?

4.1.1.Foshan, Guangdong Province, World’s Capital of Tiles

Foshan is a hub for ceramic tiles. About 350 ceramic tile producers with an annual production of about 1.2 billion square meters of ceramic tiles are based in Foshan, Guangdong Province. In the past 10 years Foshan has produced 54% of China’s total ceramic tile output and 25% of the world’s total production of ceramic tiles.

Related article:Top Five Furniture Markets in China, Foshan

Related article:Top 5 Home Decoration and Building Material Markets in Foshan, China

4.1.2.Zibo, Shandong Province, Where Low-Value and Glazed Polished Tile Are Mainly Produced

Since 2012 the quality of tiles produced in Shandong have improved tremendously. The cost advantage of the province has been attracting foreign buyers. Shandong tile exports have reached record highs making it rank as the third province in China in terms of tile exports.

4.1.3.Fujian Province, Where Low-Value and Wall Tile Are Mainly Produced

Most of the exterior tiles exported by China are produced by small family owned workshops in this province. Each workshop would only have about 5 to 10 workers work on a project at a time. Having small workshops, they can offer lower prices.

If you are not too meticulous about quality issues, the tiles produced in this region are an ideal choice.

4.1.4.Jiangxi Province, Where Middle Or Low Quality Tiles Are Produced

Similar to Fujian tiles,most the of the tile manufacturers in Jiangxi produce middle or low quality tiles.Their prices are lower if comparing with Foshan tiles.If your budget is not enough and not concern too much about quality.Jiangxi tiles may be a good choice.

4.2 Tried and Tested Methods to Find Tile Manufacturers and Suppliers in China

4.2.1 Alibaba

Alibaba.com is a business-to-business (B2B) platform on the internet where you can find thousands of China tile manufacturers and suppliers. Tile suppliers listed in alibaba.com can either be factories or traders.

It can be difficult to distinguish a factory from a trader in alibaba.com but it is always best to deal with manufacturers instead of suppliers. Some manufacturers, though are listed in alibaba.com using their trading companies.

4.2.2 Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is the best way to personally meet (face-to-face) China tile manufacturers and suppliers.

Here are some of the trade fairs where you can find China kitchen tiles, floor tiles, porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, marble tiles, mosaic tiles, stone-coated roofing tiles, ceramic wall tiles, bathroom tiles, and more in China.

4.3 China Tile Sourcing Agent

If you cannot personally source and go through the entire importation process for tile manufacturers and suppliers in China, you can work with a sourcing agent. A sourcing agent is a professional individual or company based in China who can do all the legwork for you.

Sourcing agents can source tile manufacturers and suppliers, do factory inspections, negotiate prices, and the long and tedious import process. If you decide to hire a sourcing company as your partner to source for you, please remember that your agent should be very professional in the products you need to import. For more details please click here.

5、What Kind of Tile Will Bring You Business?

We exported tiles from China to other countries since 2007. In the past 14 years, we always had the soonest sense of what kind of tiles would bring business to our clients. Here I list 5 kinds of tiles that had a large exportation volume in 2021.

5.1 Glazed Polished Marble Look Tiles 

Glazed polished marble tiles are tiles which copy from natural marble designs.You can find this kind of tile is quite colorful.Most of them are 3D inkjet.You can custom your ideal designs easily.Comparing with natural marbles,glazed marble look tiles are more affordable and have a wide range of colors and patterns to choose from.

5.2 Rustic Tiles 

Many people like to use these rustic tiles because of their classic designs and seldom outdated. According to the statistics, rustic tiles amount to 10% of all the ceramic tiles in China. Currently, nearly 80% of the lines of rustic tiles are distributed in Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hunan, and Hubei provinces. In the first half of this year, 50 new lines for rustic tiles were presented in Guangdong and Fujian and Gaoan, and Linyi. All these production areas have more than 10 new lines for rustic tiles. We can judge that the markets have a big demand for rustic tiles.

5.3 Wood Look Tiles 

Wood-look tile, one kind of ceramic tile but has wooden look. Comparing with real wood floor tiles, ceramic wood tiles have many advantages:

Unlike real wood, wood-look tile will not warp or splinter and will never need to be stripped, sanded, re-stained, and re-sealed.
Though wood-look tiles are popular for many years in China. It is not widely used in other countries. This could be a good business if there are not too many competitors in your markets.

5.4 Large-format Ceramic Tiles

It is hard to define what large-format tile is because every country has its definition for tile sizes. For example, In America, those tiles which exceed 450x450mm are large-format tiles. While in Italy,large-format tiles mean those tiles which are 1200x1200mm or bigger sizes. However, in China,large-format tiles are wall or floor tiles that exceed the average 800x800mm. Large-format tiles are very popular in China in recent years. This can be attributed to the many advantages of using large format tiles rather than a more common-sized tile. We often can see large-format tiles in high-grade Star class hotels, high-grade business spaces, or other formal occasions. On the one hand, the large-sized ceramic tile can extend the spacing effect, make the space visually open, break through the aesthetic fatigue brought by traditional ceramic tile. On the other hand, a large-scale pasting up the effect will be more complete style, can highlight the atmosphere of high-end visual effects and temperament.

5.5 Sintered Tiles

We have a brief introduction about what sintered tile is on 1.1.10. This kind of tile is very popular in China now (2021) cause it has many advantages:

We strongly believe that sintered tiles will be popular in other countries sooner or later. It is quite a good tile business if you get a head start in this field.

What is Sintered Stone Tile Slab?

6、Importing Ceramics Tiles for Your Projects – 6 Things You Need to Know

Here are six important things you need to know to successfully import tiles from China.

• Get samples from showroom

Before making the final order for tiles from China, make sure to get a sample for a thorough inspection. Most tile manufacturers and suppliers in China have showrooms where they exhibit all the tiles they manufacture.

Most tile samples are less than two square feet. This is a pretty good size to scrutinize the quality and durability of the tiles.

• Maintenance and warranties

The tile manufacturer can produce the best tiles. The contractor can accurately install the tiles. The cleaning and maintenance of the tiles, though fall upon you. Taking proper care of the tiles will make them more durable and last longer.

Use only cleaning materials recommended by the manufacturer. Make sure to also follow the care recommendations of the manufacturer. Follow all the recommendations of the manufacturer to keep the warranty intact. Breakage is, however, not covered by the warranty.

• Anti-Slip

Textured tiles have anti-slip properties making them safe especially in the kitchen, stairs, bathrooms, and pool areas.

• Breakage

It is common for tiles to crack or break while in transit from China. This often happens when the material used is of lower quality. It is, therefore, important to choose tiles with enough strength.

Manufacturers and suppliers often have warranties against breakage. They have a minimum quantity for them to replace broken tiles.

• Overage

When ordering tiles for a project, there should be an overage of 5% to 12% (industry recommended standard). This overage will cover breakage and installation errors to ensure that you still have the right number of tiles to complete the project.

• Weight

The structure where the tiles are going to be installed has a bearing on the weight of the tiles. If you are installing tiles on a vertical structure, such as a wall, heavy tiles do not have the strength to be steady. If tiles are going to be installed in floors or horizontal structures, the weight of the tiles does not matter.

7、Frequently Asked Questions about China Tiles

8、How to Import Tiles from China?

There are many things you need to know if you intend to import tiles from China.

8.1 How to Find Tariff on Tiles from China

To find the tariff on a particular tile from China search for the 6-digit HS code of the particular tile. Across the HS code, you will find the corresponding tariff (%).HS code for tiles are catagoried by water absorption rate since 1st Jan,2017.HS code 6908 was cancelled and would not be used from then.

8.2 Import Duty on Tiles from China

The import duty on tiles from China to the US, for example, is calculated based on the HS code of the tiles and the customs value as reflected on the commercial invoice.

Formula: Customs Value x Duty Rate = Import Duty

If you are, for example, shipping 10,000 pieces of glazed ceramic tiles with a value of $30,000, the import duty is $300. This is just a rough estimate of the import duty as there are other customs fees that will affect the total amount payable.

It is extremely important to know the right HS code of the specific tile to avoid any trouble with customs.

8.3 Anti-Dumping Duty on Tiles from China

The anti-dumping duty is a tariff on selected imports that are sold at a lower price than the amount the goods are sold in the exporter’s country.

Similar to other countries, the US does not have an anti-dumping duty on tiles from China. The government of China, through the anti-dumping duty, decreases by 9% the tax deduction from China tile manufacturers and exporters. This makes tiles from China up to 50% lower than tiles sold by manufacturers and suppliers in other countries.

Despite the current trade war between China and the US, there are still no anti-dumping duties on tiles from China.

9、Problems You May Have When Import Tile from China

When you decide to import tiles from China, you should remember that there are certain risks involved. A product such as tiles are delicate in nature.

9.1 Quality Problems

China products are known for their low cost and unfortunately also for different quality levels. Therefore,finding a reliable tile supplier is the most important part,but how?

Issues often arise when you discover inconsistencies in your shipment when full payment has already been made.You are left with only a few options. Although you can litigate in China to solve this issue, Chinese suppliers are aware that the cost of litigation is often not worth the cost of their shipment so they simply just shrug this off.

The problem of quality could be avoided or kept to a minimum if you are working with a tile sourcing agent. He could offer the one-stop sourcing services such as finding the best tile supplier,checking the quality,doing the certificate,arranging loading and all exporting custom matters.Once you try the help of sourcing agent,you will know how easy it is to import from China,saving more time and energy,you can expand more business.

9.2 Payment Problems

The standard payment terms used by most China tile manufacturers and suppliers are 30% down payment before production and 70% balance upon completion of the order.

Scams are quite rampant in China, so if you are a first-time importer of China tiles, it is best to make a small order first to get to know the manufacturer or supplier you are dealing with. You can also hire a sourcing agent to avoid being scammed.

Here are some of the safe payment options you can use with your China supplier:

9.3 Shipping Problems When Import Tiles From China

Although tiles are delicate products, it is not that difficult  to ship tiles out of China. The logistics and shipping are really not that complicated as is usually the case. What China importers need to deal with is the shipping cost.

If you are a first time importer of China products, here are what you need to deal with:

• Port of Loading  or local Transportation

This is the transporting of the products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the closest Port of Loading. Most ports of loading are three to four hours away from the nearest port thus most often this transportation cost is part of the FOB (Freight on Board) cost quoted by the manufacturer.

• Export Clearance

All cargo shipped out of China need to be cleared for export. These documents need to be in order with the Chinese Customs Authorities. The cost of these documentations are also often included in the FOB price. It will be more cost effective if the manufacturer handles this part.

• Freight Cost

This is the cost from the Port of Loading to the Port of Destination (country of the buyer). Costs are computed depending on the cargo: Full Container Loads (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL).

• Document Delivery

The cost of delivering the Bill of Lading, Packing List, Commercial List and other documents through either DHL or FedEx are often paid by the importer.However,some suppliers are willing to pay this charge if you cooperate many times or make a big order.

• Port of Destination Local Charges

Most first time China importers are often surprise of local charges in the Port of Destination. Make sure you know all charges clearly before shipping.

• Customs Clearance / Bond

This is applicable only to US importers from China. A Customs Bond needs to be filed before the goods leave China. This is applicable for orders over $2,500.

• Local Transportation or Port of Destination to Final Shipping Address

This is the cost from the Port of Destination to your warehouse address.

Tiles are delicate products yet shipping costs and on-time delivery are more serious concerns than logistics.

Your sourcing agent can help you manage shipping costs as they have good relationships with most shipping companies and freight forwarders in China. They can negotiate for good shipping costs and ensure your China tiles will arrive at your warehouse on time.

10、How Foshan Sourcing Help You Import Tiles from China?

• Background Check

Foshan Sourcing can help you check the legitimacy and reliability of the tile manufacturer or supplier you choose for your order. He can visit the factory and give you first-hand feedback.

• Manufacturing capabilities

Foshan Sourcing can send one of its professional agents to check on the manufacturing capability of the supplier to ensure it can fulfill your order with the right quality and deliver on time.

• Quality system auditing

Quality system auditing is one of the strengths of Foshan Sourcing. We can maintain all records of your transactions making sure all are in order.

• Best product price

Sourcing for tile manufacturers in China means you will be getting a lot of different quotes for your orders.

We can help you assess all these prices to make sure you get the best possible price possible for a minimum order quantity (MOQ), and the best possible quality.

• Negotiation & contracts

Negotiating and drawing up a contract yourself with a China tile manufacturer may be difficult if you do it on your own because of the language barrier. Foshan Sourcing can help you negotiate for the best price and terms and conditions of the contract because they both speak the same language.

• Safe payment method

We have a list of suppliers with verified and safe payment methods to make sure you do not get scammed.

• Best logistics solution

You do not need to hire logistics experts because Foshan Sourcing has a team of logistics experts who can update you with everything concerning your business.

Importing tiles from China is a profitable business strategy. China provides costs that can allow you to make significant profit. They are also updated in tile production technology and design. You however need to know the right and proper process to achieve the right profits.

Importing from China entails a tedious process starting off with sourcing the right tile supplier all the way to having the orders delivered to your warehouse.

Luckily, there are B2B market places that can guide you every step of the way. You need not physically go to China, unless of course you opt to do so. There, too are sourcing agents you can work with in China to make the entire import process of tiles successful.

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