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China tiles have remained the first choice of many real estate developers and home improvement companies in theUnited States. Despite the anti-dumping calls of groups in the United States on China tiles, tiles from China continue to dominate a huge chunk of the market share against other top exporters like Italy and Turkey.
Ceramic World Review says China in 2017 imported 16.7 million sq.m of ceramic tiles worth over $105 million (in USD), which is 16% higher than the previous year. China remains to be the top source of ceramic and porcelain tiles, way ahead of Italy, Turkey, Spain, and the United States.
If you are looking to buy tiles from China, you are in the right place. China has over 3,000 tile manufacturers scattered all over the country. If you want to successfully navigate your business through importing any tiles fromChina, we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore all the things you need to know how to buy tiles from China, from sourcing to importation
Brace yourself because we’re going on a roller coaster ride. You are welcome to skip sections if you think you already know them.
We can find tiles in almost all houses, offices, and even public spaces. They come in all shapes and sizes. But tiles are not all created equal. Each type of tiles has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Let’s explore the different tiles based on materials.
Ceramic tilesCeramic tiles are made of thin slabs of clay and other materials, hardened in an oven, and coated with a glaze finish. Ceramic tiles are easy to clean and can last for good, making them a great option for bathrooms, kitchens, and other 2 high-traffic parts of the building. Glazed ceramic tiles are not porous, so it is easy to maintain them. And best of all, itis harder for germs and bacteria to stick up with porous tiles. The thing about ceramic tiles is they can vary in colors by a hair, so buy tiles from China in batches.
Porcelain TilesTechnically, porcelain tiles are still under ceramic tiles. But, what makes them different from the classic ceramic tiles is it has better quality because they are kiln dried at higher temperatures. Porcelain tiles are harder, more durable, and more { resistant to scratches and stains, yet more porous.
Porcelain tiles are great for wet areas like the bathroom and kitchen and areas with radiate heating and cooling systems. They are available in many designs mimicking natural materials like wood and stone.
Marble TilesMarble tiles are some of the most attractive types of tiles with their inconsistent veiny surfaces in various shades of color. Not to mention, even after decades, marble tiles remain a treat to the eyes.
Because of their unconventional appearance, they make it easy for surfaces to look good and unique, especially for bathrooms and kitchens. However, the same reason makes it difficult to match all the tiles from one another. If you buy tiles from China, get the same original batch to have a uniform design.
Glass TilesGlass tiles have become a popular choice among those who are looking to cus- tomize their bathroom walls and floors. They maximize the lightning of a room, emitting beautiful glints. Glass tiles are resistant to molds and stains and produce
more friction to avoid accidental slips when used on the flooring. Small glass tiles — are usually designed in a mosaic of different shades of a color. However, glass tiles get dirt and scratches easily. And they are durable enough but needs extra care than ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Limestone TilesLimestone tiles are stone tiles made from carbonate sedimentary rock that is limestone. They can be textured or polished. The solid quality and natural look of limestone tiles make it perfect for flooring. They absorb moisture very well.
Limestone tiles are perfect for kitchen backsplashes and bathrooms. However, limestone tiles are not typically used in high-traffic areas like kitchens because they get stained or scratched easily. They do not withstand citrus and vine- gar-based cleaning agents.
Slate TilesSlate tiles are some of the toughest types of tiles which make them ideal for roofing. Slate is made of metamorphic rocks, naturally textured and colored dark like black, gray, and purple. And they are heavy and durable.
Slate tiles are often used on floors of the kitchen, bathroom, hallways, mudrooms, foyer, patio, and pretty much anywhere crowded like receiving areas. They are resistant to cracks, chips, scratches, and breaks. They have to be sealed against stains.
Granite TilesGranite tiles are stone tiles with a distinctive look that you cannot see in other types of tiles. Their surfaces have veins and specks on various natural pigments ranging from white to grey and pink. Granite tiles are resistant to scratches, bacteria, and germs because they are not porous.
Granite tiles are best used for shower walls, counters, and flooring in areas passed by many people. Like marble tiles and limestone tiles, granite tiles require regular maintenance to keep the surface in good condition. Also, it hard to match all tiles perfectly so it pays to buy tiles in China by batches.
Terrazzo TilesTerrazzo tiles are versatile tiles made from various materials like marble, glass, metallics, and natural aggregates like the mother-of-pearl. Materials are exposed on the tile surface which is usually polished and shiny.
Terrazzo tiles are commonly found in homes and public buildings because of their durability. They can also be refinished many times over. Since they are smooth, terrazzo tiles tend to be slippery.
Linoleum TilesLinoleum tiles are another versatile and affordable tiles that can be easily installed neatly. They are available in various designs and colors that mimic wood, stone, and other decorative effects. They are low maintenance and able to repel dust and dirt while preserving its color and texture.
Linoleum tiles are often used in the kitchens of restaurants and stock rooms. 7 These tiles, however, are susceptible to scratches. On the first few days of appli- > cation, linoleum tiles can smell gassy or fumy.
Pebble TilesPebble tiles are often used in outer areas of the house, resort, and public spaces. Some applications include mudrooms, outer walls, and surrounding areas of a pool. They are made from natural river rock pebbles that are manually applied piece by piece on the surface. Pebble tiles can get specks of dirt easily, which makes it for out-of-the-house use only.
These types of tiles based on materials are classified not for nothing. More than aesthetics, these tiles have an intended purpose based on application.
Unfortunately, lots of China tiles manufacturers do not categorize their tiles properly so it can really get confusing sometimes. In this chapter, we will discuss the types of tiles based on the surface of application.
The best tile floors depend on which part of the house or building you want to use them and what effect you are trying to achieve with them. They are designed to bring out the appeal of the flooring and movement. Floor tiles are available in both glazed or unglazed forms.
Floor tiles are subject to higher load, pressure, friction level, and other material action. That means floor tiles have to be durable, easy-to-clean, impervious, and abrasion-re- sistant. Floor tiles should have an average absorption level of 3%.
Ceramic tiles have a COF (coefficient of friction) rating. Ceramic floor tiles need to have a COF of at least 0.50, the minimum level of friction to make it safe to walk on.
Wall tiles are used both in the interior and exterior of the building based on decoration or aesthetics. They are usually made of ceramics because of their white and off-white colors, Wall tiles are available in both glazed and unglazed forms, but most have thin layers of glaze. Wall tiles can be slicker, softer, and less durable than floor tiles. Wall tiles should have an absorption level of up to 10%.
Roofing tiles are as good as earthenware. They are baked at higher temperatures than any indoor tiles to be more durable and glazed to be impervious to liquid. Slate tiles are best used for roofing.
Partition tiles are used in building interior partitions to divide areas into rooms or areas. They carry no superim- posed loads. The most common tiles used for partition are ceramic, porcelain, and glass.
To know more about specific sizes, shapes, shades, patterns, and textures, check out this tile specifications guide:
The standard tile sizes range from 2 inches up to 18 inches. Each size varies in purpose. These floor tile sizes can be categorized into three: smaller tiles, medium-size tiles, and larger tiles.
In addition to the standard sizes, there are also non-standard sizes starting at 24 inches. These are used in bigger spaces and thus requires special tools, equipment, and expertise to install.
The size identifies the shape of the tiles. Square and rectangle are the most common shapes. _. Shapes hexagon, pentagon, and octagon are also available.
Shades are simply the color tone used for every batch of tiles. In industrial manufacturing, it is impossible to achieve the same exact color shade for different batches of tiles. To avoid mixing them up, each batch is grouped together according to color shade before packing. And each pack is marked accordingly.
The pattern of tiles varies on the natural look of the tile and the design that is added to them. Vein and speck patterns are often found on natural stone tiles like marble, limestone, and granite. Synthetic patterns can also be achieved in ceramic, porcelain, and linoleum tiles depending on the tiles manufacturers.
Many China tiles manufacturers are using digital ink injection to personalize China tiles design. This is an advanced technology that allows them to produce various patterns on glazed ceramic floor tiles and ceramic wall tiles, including wood, rustic, marble, and other effects.
The textures of tiles can either be matte, semi-polished, bush-hammered, or textured. Matte and semi-polished finishes can be achieved by putting glaze finish on the tiles. The bush-ham- mered surface is done with tools like a chisel, cap, etc. to achieve that rustic or rough look. The textured tile is best used for floors that are wet and moist. Bush-hammered and textured tiles are used for tiles like granite, terrazzo, and slate.
Lots of wholesalers and contractors do not get the concept of glazed and unglazed in tile manu- facturing. First of all, a glaze is a substance rather than a description.
However, unglazed tiles absorb liquid because they do not have a liquid glass protective coating. That means they are susceptible to stains and scratches unless a protective sealant covers them
Tile Ratings for Ceramic Floor Tiles From China and Ceramic Wall Tiles China
Tiles are graded from 1 to 5 based on their toughness and durability. Learn more about ceramic tiles ratings below:
| RATING | DESCRIPTION |
| Grade 1 | Lowest rating. Only suitable for walls. |
| Grade 2 | Best for light traffic areas. They are also great for wall tiles and residential bathrooms. |
| Grade 3 | Good for light to moderate traffic spaces. Most common in residential buildings, particularly around the kitchen, countertops, and on the floor. |
| Grade 4 | Better choice than Grade 3 light to moderate traffic areas. Best for floors, countertops, and offices |
| Grade 5 | The toughest grade. Built to withstand abuse from heavy footwork, like shopping malls, airports, hotel lobbies, and restaurants, among many others. |
Porcelain tiles have a different rating system set by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI). Nevertheless, the PEI rating system follows almost the same principles as that of ceramic tiles.
The PEI Scale indicates the tile hardness. The rating is from Group 0 to 5
| RATING | DESCRIPTION |
| Group O or PEIO | Not suitable for floors. For wall use only. |
| Group 1 or PEI 1 | Best for light traffic areas where shoes are not used as a residential bathroom. Best for commercial and residential walls. |
| Group 2 or PEI 2 | Best for general residential traffic and areas walked on by soft-soled footwear. Not ideal for kitchen, entrance halls, and stairs. |
| Group 3 or PEI 3 | Best for residential and light commercial areas like interior walls, offices, residential bathroom floors, countertops. Not recommended for commercial entryways. |
| Group 4 or PEI 4 | Best for areas with moderate traffic in both residential and commercial areas such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies, and corridors. |
| Group 5 or PEI 5 | Best for areas with heavy traffic and areas prone to abrasions and moisture like malls, public buildings, building entrances, and pools. |
Whether you are a wholesaler, a contractor, a property developer, or a home improvement supply retailer, you are most likely familiar with the best China tiles for specific uses.
You are welcome to skip this part. But for the uninitiated, we will discuss what makes a certain type of tiles different from the others as well as where to use which tiles.
Tiles can be confusing at first. They all look almost the same, yet each type has a different set of pros and cons. Let’s look at the differences between the most mistaken tiles: ceramic and porcelain as well as marble, limestone, and granite.
As mentioned earlier in the article, porcelain tiles technically fall under ceramics. However, porcelain tiles have slight nuances from the _ traditional ceramic tiles.
Ceramic tiles are baked at a lower temperature so they are softer, more porous, lighter, and more affordable. Porcelain tiles are baked at a higher temperature so they are harder, less porous, denser, and more expensive.
Both ceramic and porcelain are great for high-traffic areas because they are resistant to scratches. For busy com- mercial spaces, we highly recommend unglazed porcelain tiles because they do not wear down fast.
Here’s a comparison table for easy reference:
| CERAMIC | PORCELAIN TILES | |
| Design Varied (size, shape, shade, pattern, texture) | Varied | Varied |
| Cost | More affordable | Less affordable |
| Durability | Less durable | More durable |
| Porosity | More porous | Less porous |
| Heat Resistance | Can withstand extreme heat | Cannot withstand extreme heat |
| Water Resistance | High absorption rate | Low absorption rate |
| Stain Resistance | Less resistant | More resistant |
| DIY-friendly | Yes | No |
| Maintenance | Easy and affordable | Relatively easy and expensive |
| Resale Value | Smaller ROI | Bigger ROI |
Marble, limestone, and granite tiles are all equally attractive elements added to a house or building. They are the most durable tiles there are. But, they do have differences.
Looking at their appearances, granite tiles have mottled or speckled patterns that give off subtle sparkles sometimes. Granite tiles are available in a range of colors, from black and white to yellow, red, and blue. Marble tiles have veins and specks patterns and are often used in luxurious baths and bedrooms. They are available in whites, greens, and blacks, among other colors. Limestone tiles are the hardest. They range in subtle shades of cream to brown. Some give off the appearance of wood.
Granite tiles are more resistant to stains and scratches but not to cracks and chips. Marble tiles are more porous than granite but susceptible to stains caused by acidic liquids like red wine and lemon juice. Limestone tiles are porous and susceptible to stains as well.
In terms of price, limestone tiles are the most affordable of the three because they are the more common to source out. Marble tiles, being the least common natural stone to source out, are the most expensive
| Marble Tiles | Limestone Tiles | Granite Tiles | |
| Patterns | Veiny | Speckled | Grains |
| Common Colors | White | Cream | Grey |
| Heat Resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Must be sealed | Must be sealed | Seal advised |
| Stain Resistance | Must be sealed | Must be sealed | Seal advised |
| Scratch Resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Looking for the best tiles for a specific area? Read on to learn the:
Small rooms like bathrooms need small tiles. Small mosaic tiles are the best for bathroom floors because they have more grout lines and produce more friction. More grout lines, however, can look untidy. Porcelain tiles are great for bathroom walls.
Larger tiles are a great choice for the bathroom floor too as long as they as bush-hammered or textured, such as terrazzo and slate tiles, to avoid slips. They help create your bathroom feel spacious, especially if they are plain. Large tiles can you time in awkward spaces as you will cut fewer of them than small tiles.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are always a more popular choice than natural stone tiles for kitchen floors because they are impervious to spills. Limestone tiles make for great kitchen flooring as well because they are attractive, durable, and porous like mosaic tiles. Limestone is harder than marble and granite, and they do not scratch easily.
Sealed ceramic or porcelain tiles are great for countertops and sinks too. Ceramic tiles are great for backsplashes because they can withstand heat and moisture.
Bush-hammered and textured tiles are perfect for shower rooms. These are designed to be rough in texture for that friction needed. Some common tiles used in shower rooms are glass mosaic tiles, slate tiles, and marble tiles. Pebbles are sometimes used for the walls. Porcelain tiles are great for shower walls too.
Travertine tiles and natural stone tiles are ideal for bedrooms on the ground floor because they are sturdy. And because they are heavy too, these tiles have to be used on upper floors with care due to load, noise, and instability of subfloor.
On the one hand, natural stone tiles are also suitable for seasonal chill climates because they can distribute radiate heating better than wood.
Porcelain tiles are also the best tiles for the laundry room and mudroom because they are durable and impervious to moisture. Choose the ones that look like slate for that casual or rustic effect.
Natural stone tiles like marble, limestone, and granite are suitable for areas like walkways, outdoor kitchens, or around the pool. They can withstand extreme temperature swings. Slate tiles are a good alternative for those who have a more textured surface to avoid slipping accidents.
Entryways are more prone to drastic temperature changes than any other room. It only pays to use more durable tiles like slate and natural stones here than wood and vinyl. Slate and stone tiles are also more textured.
Got some questions about China tiles? Check out our answers to some FAQs we’ve received over and over from our clients:
Yes. China porcelain tiles are safe. They are fireproof so they will not burn, produce smoke or any toxic fumes in case there is fire.
Ceramic floor tiles from China and ceramic wall tiles China is generally a safe and non-toxic option that is easy to maintain.
Ceramic floor tiles from China will last decades provided you choose the right tile and take care of it. Most kinds of glazed porcelain floor tiles, glazed ceramic floor tiles, and terracotta floor tiles from China can last up to 50 years or even more.
The simple answer is no. Tiles have grades that determine how strong the tile is. Grade 1 is the best for floor tiles, and Grade 3 should never be used on the floor.
Most China porcelain tiles are resistant to scratches. If you buy tiles from China, make sure to know the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of a tile. PEI 3 is good enough for residential China porcelain tiles for flooring, while PEI 4 or PEI 5 is enough for commercial China porcelain tiles for flooring.
Some tiles need to be sealed. Glazed or sealed tiles will absorb liquids such as water, coffee, juice, and wine. Some tiles are naturally porous. If they are not glazed, it is very easy to get them stained. Terracotta tiles, marble tiles, granite tiles, limestone tiles, China porcelain tiles for flooring, and ceramic floor tiles from China should be sealed.
Stock up at least 10% more tiles than you need. Stocking up replacement tiles is necessary to keep the uniformity of the surface in case of fixing. It can be difficult to find the same China tiles design to match your current tiles.
Like standard floor tiles, underfloor heating requires textured tiles to give you more friction when the floor is wet.
Finding tile manufacturers in China is possible in a few ways. The easiest ways to look for them are via Alibaba, trade shows, tile manufacturing bases, and even sourcing agents.
AlibabaAlibaba.com is a perfect place on the internet to find China tiles manufacturers or suppliers. Alibaba suppliers could either be factories or traders. Of course, it is a lot better to deal directly with the supplier instead of traders. However, it can be difficult to discern whether a supplier is a trader or a manufacturer.
Trade shows are the best place to meet China tiles manufacturers or suppliers face to face.
Here are some upcoming trade fairs to find China floor tiles, China kitchen tiles, China porcelain tiles, ceramic floor tiles from China, marble tiles China, China mosaic tiles for terrace, stone-coated roofing tiles China, ceramic wall tiles China, bathroom tiles made in China, and a lot more:
| Trade Fair | Location | Date |
| China International Ceramic and Bathroom | China Ceramics Market, Foshan | October 2019 |
| Ceramics China | China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou | June 2019 (every 2 years) |
| Rooftile China | Poly World Trade Expo Center, Guangzhou | May 2020 |
| International Ceramics, Tile & Sanitary Ware Expo | Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai | April 2020 |
| Shanghai International Advanced Ceramics Exhibition & Conference | Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, Shanghai | March 2020 |
| DOMOTEX Asia/ China Floor | Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai | March 2020 |
| International Natural Stone Fair | Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Centre, Xiamen | March 2020 |
China tiles manufacturers can be found in specific cities and provinces. This makes it a lot easier for importers to source products from China. If you want to buy tiles from China, here are the right places to look into.
Foshan in Guangdong is the center of ceramic tiles where about 350 China tiles manufacturers are based. In the past decade, Foshan has produced 54% of the country’s total ceramic tile output and 25% of the world’s total output. If you are looking for ceramic floor tiles from China or ceramic wall tiles China, Foshan is the place to be.
Fujian is home to smaller family-owned China tiles manufacturers. Each shop only has about 10 workers working on a project at a time. If you want to buy tiles from China at a lower price, Fujian is your best bet.
Shandong is now the third top tile exporting province in China. The tile market of the province has dramatically grown in the last few years. Compared to tile manufacturers in Foshan, Shandong manufacturers offer lower prices.
If you do not want to do the entire process, you can find a sourcing agent who can do all the dirty work for you. China Sourcelink offers various sourcing and services in supply chain management. Learn more about what China Sourcelink has to offer.
Importing tiles from China is not a walk in the park if you are doing it on your own. You need to take care of the sourcing and logistics and shipping. The tasks can stretch you much further than you have to.
In this section, we will walk you through all the ins and outs of importing tiles from China in hopes to alleviate the amount of stress. Here you will learn:
Tiles have different tariff depending on the materials used. No worries, though, because finding the tariff of various tiles is easy.
1. Go to HTS.USITC.gov.
2. In the search bar, type in the 10-digit HS code of the subject tile. Alternatively, you can just search using a keyword and find the HS code from search results.
3. Find the corresponding rate (in percentage) under the General column of the table.
Note that tariffs on tiles vary based on so many factors, including materials, surface finish, shape, and size.
Here are example tariffs of certain tiles:
The import duty on tiles from China to the U.S. will be calculated by their HS code and the customs value on the commercial invoice. Knowing the right code of a specific tile is so important because mistakes can get you in trouble with customs.
The formula is:
Customs Value x Duty Rate = Import Duty
For instance, you are shipping 10,000 pieces of glazed ceramic tiles at a total value of $20,000. The import duty will be $200. Note that there are other customs fees that will affect your final payable. This is just a rough estimate of the import duty.
Like most countries in the world, the United States does not have an anti-dumping duty on tile from China. This entitles China tiles manufacturers and exporters of a 9% tax deduction from the Chinese government. As a result, China tiles are much lower—up to 50%—than tiles sold by suppliers in other countries.
Despite the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, there is no anti-dumping duty on tiles from China imposed yet.
What is an anti-dumping duty, anyway? An anti-dumping duty is a tariff applied to select imports that are sold at a lower price than what would be charged in the exporter’s home country.
Heavy tariffs imposed on Chinese products can get really expensive and can even bring negative to your bottom line. The good news is, there are ways to avoid tariffs without putting yourself in the hot water.
Most manufacturers or suppliers in China have manufacturing plants or warehouses in different locations outside of mainland China. These plants are located in Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.
These locations do not have penalized tariffs from the United States for so many products, including tiles. So if you import from these countries (through the China-owned company), you are likely to dodge heavy tariffs.
But, it’s always best to talk to an experienced importer or a supply chain expert to know more about avoiding tariffs in a legal way.
When you decided to buy tiles from China, there are risks you have to remember. We are talking about quality, payment, and shipping—usual things that involve outsourcing, really.
Quality is an ongoing issue with products imported from China. The best thing you can do to avoid getting in trouble with quality issues is to request a sample before entering into an agreement with any China tiles manufacturers.
If you decide to buy tiles from China tiles manufacturers and you do not want to fly halfway around the world to keep checks of your order’s production, you can hire quality inspectors or sourcing agents to go through the manufacturing process, whether it is China floor tiles, China kitchen tiles, China porcelain tiles, marble tiles China, ceramic floor tiles from China, China mosaic tiles for terrace, stone-coated roofing tiles from China, ceramic wall tiles China, or bathroom tiles made in China.
The standard payment term used among China tiles manufacturers is 30% deposit before production. The balance shall be paid upon completion of the order. Scams, however, are prevalent. Make sure to make small orders first or know who you are dealing with. Hiring a sourcing agent will probably avoid situations like this.
Tiles are delicate products, although the logistics are not really a huge problem. The issue lies in the shipping cost and sometimes delivery time. Again, having a sourcing agent can help you find ways to solve shipping cost issues and make sure that your China tiles will arrive in the United States on time.
Congratulations! You’ve finally reached the end of our Ultimate Guide to Importing Tiles From China. We trust that you have learned a ton of things, and we can’t wait to see your business grow. Before letting you go, we want to end this article with a few key takeaways:
China Sourcelink is one a one-stop supply chain management company that can help you find Chinese tiles manufacturers, handle the shipping of your tiles from China to any point in the world, and monitor the production of your ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles in China. All these at a very competitive price.
Take care of your business, and we will take care of your outsourcing!
Call us at +1 2137162203 (U.S.) or +86 15889306565 (China).
Visit our Los Angeles office at 177 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California.
