Ship tiles in 20-foot containers: tiles are so dense that a container hits its weight limit long before it's full. Then protect every edge and corner, keep the cartons dry, and make sure the HS code on your invoice matches the product.
Why ceramics and tiles are hard to ship
Tiles, sanitaryware and other ceramics are heavy, brittle, and easy to chip at the edges, and every container is limited by weight. The main risks are breakage, abrasion, chipped corners, and moisture, especially during container stuffing, at sea, and in last-mile handling. This guide covers packing, handling, and equipment choices for ceramic, porcelain, and stone-based tiles and sanitaryware.
Ceramic and tile products this guide covers
Porcelain & Vitrified Tiles
Floor tiles, polished glazed tiles, and outdoor pavers
Ceramic Wall Tiles
Bathroom and kitchen wall tiles
Mosaic & Decorative Tiles
Glass mosaic, stone mosaic, and designer pieces
Sanitaryware & Bathroom Fittings
Sinks, washbasins, toilets (commodes), and fixtures
Ceramic Tableware
Consumer and hospitality-grade plates, bowls, and cups
Shipping ceramics and tiles?
Get a quoteThree risks to plan for: breakage, weight, and moisture
Tiles ship in bulk, so plan for compression, edge protection, and weight up front. That is what prevents cracked tiles and collapsed pallets.
Tile corners and porcelain edges chip under even minor impact.
- Use factory cartons with foam separators and corner pads
- Ship on wooden pallets, shrink-wrapped with protective film
- Put angle boards on the pallet edges
- Load cartons upright only if they are designed to stand vertically
- Concentrate protection on carton corners and pallet edges: impact energy concentrates there, and that is where most damage occurs
Tiles are extremely dense, so a container usually reaches its payload limit before it runs out of space.
- Choose 20-foot containers; they are the usual choice because tiles are so heavy
- Spread the weight evenly across the container floor
- Don't stack beyond the pallet's crush strength
- Follow forklift safety rules and use the correct pallet entry points
- Expect typical tile loads to top out at 26–28 metric tons, depending on each country's truck and axle rules
Porous ceramics and cardboard cartons absorb moisture, which causes stains, odors, and cartons that collapse.
- Wrap cartons in plastic or use inner liners as a moisture barrier
- Add desiccants for long voyages and humid routes
- Make sure the container is dry before stuffing
- Keep cartons dry: wet cartons collapse under the weight of the stack
Documents for a tile shipment
The shipper supplies the product documents; the forwarder handles the transport documents and filings.
What the shipper provides
| Document | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice & packing list | Lists the tile type, HS code, dimensions, and pallet count |
| Certificate of origin (if required) | Supports the tariff treatment and any duty preference |
| Packaging declaration | Confirms export-grade pallets and cartons |
What the forwarder handles
| Document | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Bill of Lading / Air Waybill | The transport contract with the carrier |
| Weight declaration (SOLAS/VGM) | Verified gross mass (VGM), required for safe container loading |
| Export manifest & filings | Keeps the export compliant with customs |
Shipping ceramics and tiles?
Get a quoteRequirements by destination
- A certificate of origin (COO) may be needed for customs
- Customs looks closely at HS classification, so get the code right
- CE marking applies to certain tile categories
- A certificate of origin (COO) is required for customs
- A certificate of origin (COO) is commonly required
- Some countries inspect building materials closely
Which container or mode to use
| Mode | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| 20' dry container (default) | Standard tile and ceramic loads | - |
| 40' container, only if weight allows | Lightweight sanitaryware or mixed loads | - |
| Palletized LCL | Smaller orders and fragile SKUs | - |
| Air freight | High-end boutique ceramics or urgent samples | - |
For tiles, the 20-foot container is the industry standard because it avoids overweight problems.
HS codes for ceramics and tiles (examples)
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 6907 | Ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles |
| 6908 | Unglazed ceramic tiles |
| 6910 | Ceramic sinks, washbasins and other sanitary fixtures |
| 6912 | Ceramic tableware and kitchenware |
These codes are indicative starting points, not a classification. Find the exact 10-digit line for your product in the HTS Code Finder. Getting the classification right is the importer of record’s legal responsibility.
Estimate US import duties for these codes with our free tariff simulator. HS nomenclature reference: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature.aspx
Ceramics and tile shipping FAQs
Because of weight. Tiles are heavy enough to reach a container's weight limit quickly, and a 20-foot container balances that weight with safe handling.
Not always, but pallets are the safer choice. Most bulk shipments are palletized for handling. Some exporters stack cartons floor to ceiling instead, but pallets improve stability and reduce breakage.
Chipped edges and collapsed stacks, caused by impact or poorly distributed weight.
Yes. Sanitaryware often needs foam-lined cartons, thicker padding, and, for high-value items, sometimes wooden crates.
Yes, it's recommended. Tiles can break even when they're packed correctly.
Shipping terms in this guide:Commercial InvoicePacking ListHarmonized System Code (HS Code)Certificate of Origin (COO)Bill of Lading (BOL)Air Waybill (AWB)
U.S. import duty on Ceramics & Tiles Commodities by country of origin
Total duty on the highest-value tariff lines in this category, by country of origin, calculated with our tariff engine and U.S. Census import values. Each page breaks down the duty components, how the rate has changed by entry date, and the landed-cost math.
Rates are our tariff engine's total for a commercial entry today. Open a page for the duty lines behind a rate and how it changed by entry date, browse all import duty pages, or price your own shipment.
Planning a tile or ceramics shipment?
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Get a quote to ship ceramics and tiles
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