Importing furniture into the UK
The UK has thousands of thriving furniture businesses. Both local, family-owned companies and big corporations must navigate the UK’s stringent shipping regulations to source products from overseas.
To learn more about the process (and what you can do to prepare), read on with Freight Broker.
To learn more about the process (and what you can do to prepare), read on with Freight Broker.
Understanding UK import regulations
Shippers should consider the UK’s legal and regulatory frameworks before importing furniture.
While statistics indicate that, in 2024, the value of UK furniture imports was valued at £616 million, shippers must make sure their imports adhere to numerous safety and environmental regulations, including:
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 mandate that all consumer products, including furniture, are safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
Producers and distributors are required to provide consumers with information to assess inherent risks and take appropriate precautions. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including sizable fines.
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 set fire resistance standards for domestic upholstered furniture.
These regulations specify that filling materials must meet ignition requirements, upholstery composites must be cigarette-resistant, and covers must be match-resistant.
You must make sure that any items you plan to import also carry appropriate permanent and display labels to inform consumers of their compliance.
The Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013 enforce obligations to prevent illegally harvested timber from entering the UK market.
Importers must exercise due diligence by implementing a system that assesses the risk of illegal timber in their furniture importation and maintains records for traceability.
Specific commodity codes may also be required for the importation of furniture, depending on whether it’s being used for medical purposes or within an office and what kind of material it’s made from. You can find these codes here.
While statistics indicate that, in 2024, the value of UK furniture imports was valued at £616 million, shippers must make sure their imports adhere to numerous safety and environmental regulations, including:
General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR):
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 mandate that all consumer products, including furniture, are safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
Producers and distributors are required to provide consumers with information to assess inherent risks and take appropriate precautions. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including sizable fines.
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 set fire resistance standards for domestic upholstered furniture.
These regulations specify that filling materials must meet ignition requirements, upholstery composites must be cigarette-resistant, and covers must be match-resistant.
You must make sure that any items you plan to import also carry appropriate permanent and display labels to inform consumers of their compliance.
Timber and Timber Products Regulations
The Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013 enforce obligations to prevent illegally harvested timber from entering the UK market.
Importers must exercise due diligence by implementing a system that assesses the risk of illegal timber in their furniture importation and maintains records for traceability.
Specific commodity codes may also be required for the importation of furniture, depending on whether it’s being used for medical purposes or within an office and what kind of material it’s made from. You can find these codes here.
How to import furniture into the UK
Importing furniture into the UK will be an uncomplicated process, so long as you follow these steps:
- Obtain an EORI Number: Register for an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number (mandatory for UK imports).
- Classify goods with commodity codes: Determine the appropriate commodity codes for your furniture to identify applicable duties and VAT rates.
- Check for necessary licences or certificates: Some furniture items may require specific import licences or certificates, especially those made from certain materials.
- Check for compliance with safety and labelling standards: Verify that the furniture meets UK safety regulations and labelling requirements.
- Submit import declarations: Accurately complete customs declarations, including details about the furniture's value, origin, and classification.
- Arrange for payment of duties and VAT: Calculate and pay any applicable import duties and VAT based on the furniture's classification and value.
- Organise transport and delivery: Coordinate with freight forwarders or customs agents to manage shipping logistics. Then, deliver the furniture to its final destination!
Shipping Made Simple: Compare Quotes Now
Quickly compare ocean and air freight quotes from multiple carriers. Get the most competitive price for your shipment.