Importing Stone: Duties, Restrictions & Clearance by Destination

Stone Ships Under a Few HS Codes

Most stone sculpture and architectural stone falls under HS Chapter 68 (articles of stone/plaster/cement), with monumental or building stone in 6802 and some carved figurines under 9703 or 9602 depending on the item. Your supplier should classify correctly and provide the matching Certificate of Origin—misclassification is the #1 cause of customs delays.

United States

The US applies most-favored-nation (MFN) rates to most Chinese stone, with Section 301 tariffs on many Chinese-origin goods adding cost—check the current schedule for your specific HS line. Antique, religious, or heritage-style pieces may trigger review under cultural property rules. A correctly declared value and clean Certificate of Origin smooth the way.

European Union & United Kingdom

The EU and UK generally apply low duties on finished stone articles (often 0–3%), with VAT collected at import. Environmental and CITES rules rarely affect stone, but confirm the item isn't classified as a cultural good requiring an export license. The UK applies its UK Global Tariff, typically similar to the EU's low rates on stone.

Middle East & Gulf

GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) levy moderate tariffs on stone and require standardized certificates and, in some cases, conformity assessment for building stone. Garden and decorative stone is usually straightforward; mosque-adjacent religious sculpture may need clarifying that it's secular decoration. Confirm the declared value matches the invoice exactly.

Southeast Asia

Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines apply low-to-moderate duties on stone, with customs valued on the CIF (cost, insurance, freight). Buddhist and temple furnishings are common stone imports in this region—confirm any religious-goods classification and the correct harmonized code. English documentation is accepted in most markets.

The Low-Friction Path

Whichever market you're in, three things prevent customs problems: correct HS classification, a Certificate of Origin matching the invoice, and an accurate declared value. A seasoned export partner prepares these before shipment, so your stone lands smoothly instead of sitting in a bonded warehouse.