Importing Display Fixtures from China: HS Codes, Wood Packaging & Three Installation Models
A practical import guide for retail display fixtures: HS classification for acrylic, stainless, wooden, metal and lighting products, the governing classification principle, ISPM15 wood packaging compliance, the shipping document set, electrical declarations, container basics and three overseas installation models.
Which HS code applies to exported display fixtures?
Display fixtures, showcases and display racks do not share a single code; they are classified by predominant material plus primary function. Common classifications are: acrylic and cosmetics display stands usually fall under 9403.70 (furniture of plastics); combined stainless steel and acrylic stands under 9403.89 (furniture of other materials); wooden showcases and wall units under 9403.60 (other wooden furniture); metal racks and grid-wall systems under 9403.20 (metal furniture); and small acrylic items such as trays and shelves under 3926.90. Misclassification causes inspection delays, duty recovery or fines, so final codes must be confirmed with your customs broker.
Common HS classifications
| Product form | Suggested HS code | Description | Declaration examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic display stands, cosmetics stands, showcases | 9403.70 | Furniture of plastics | "Cosmetics display stand, steel + acrylic", "acrylic floor display stand" |
| Stainless steel + acrylic stands, display tables | 9403.89 | Furniture of other materials | "Display stand, stainless steel + acrylic", "display rack, for retail, carbon steel" |
| Wooden showcases, wall units | 9403.60 | Other wooden furniture | Wooden retail fixtures |
| Metal racks, grid-wall systems | 9403.20 | Metal furniture | Metal display stands, shelving units |
| Small acrylic items (trays, shelves) | 3926.90 | Other articles of plastics | Acrylic trays, small display pieces |
| Light boxes, luminaires, LED strips declared separately | 9405.40 / 9405.10 | Lamps and lighting fittings | LED light boxes, lighting accessories |
| Metal brackets and fittings | 7326.90 | Other articles of iron or steel | Display hardware |
Classification principle: with mixed materials, follow the predominant-material logic and confirm with your customs broker before declaration. A single shipment may need to be split into several declaration lines because the predominant materials differ.
Wood packaging: ISPM15 is not optional
| Case | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Solid wood pallets or crates | Must be ISPM15 heat treated and carry a fumigation stamp |
| MDF or plywood packaging | Normally exempt, but must be declared as non-wood packaging on the packing list |
| No wood packaging | Declare explicitly as "non-wood packaging" |
The United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia and others enforce wood packaging strictly. A missing ISPM15 mark can trigger a full-container inspection, and the resulting demurrage and inspection costs usually far exceed the cost of compliance.
The shipping document set
| Document | Purpose | When required |
|---|---|---|
| Packing list (with HS codes) | Piece count, weight, volume | All shipments |
| Commercial invoice | Declared value and HS codes | All shipments |
| HS code explanatory sheet | Assists customs classification | Recommended |
| Certificate of Origin (COO) | Proves origin | Often required for GCC countries, the EU |
| Fumigation certificate | Wood packaging compliance | When solid wood packaging is used |
| Electrical declaration and datasheet | Wattage and certification of LEDs, drivers, power supplies | CE, UL and FCC markets |
| Photo list | Speeds up visual inspection | Optional but very useful |
| Shipping marks and crate labels | Crate number, destination, gross/net weight, voltage | Mandatory; assists inspection and on-site crate identification |
A practical trick is to print a QR code on the crate card that links to the packing list PDF — it visibly speeds up inspection.
What to watch when declaring electrical components
LED strips and drivers must declare wattage, voltage and certification (CE / UL / FCC). Plug standards must match the destination country (European Type C, UK Type G, US types, and so on). Display units containing lithium batteries — interactive screens, charging stations — require a UN38.3 report for air freight. Light boxes should travel with a datasheet and product photographs.
Container loading basics
| Container | Usable volume | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| 20GP | Approx. 33 m³ | Fixture volume for a store of roughly 100–150 m² |
| 40GP | Approx. 67 m³ | Larger full-store fit-outs |
| 40HQ | Approx. 76 m³ | Tall cabinets and full-height shelving preferred |
Three models for overseas installation
| Model | Approach | Suited to | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote guidance | Bilingual installation drawings, video and online guidance; the client's local crew assembles | Simple structures, client has local resources | Assembly quality depends on the local crew |
| Supplier site team | The supplier sends installers to site | High image requirements, complex structures | Visas, travel costs and schedule impact |
| Local partner crew | A crew in the destination country works to the supplier's drawings with remote coordination | Ongoing overseas programmes | Requires a reliable partner |
The choice among the three comes down to structural complexity, the brand's tolerance for on-site finish quality, and how rigid the schedule is.
Tariffs and landed cost
Most Chinese-made metal and wooden furniture categories face a Section 301 additional tariff in the United States (approximately 25% as of 2026), on top of the MFN base rate. Landed cost calculations must include duties and customs brokerage from the outset, or the project budget will be eroded. Actual rates depend on the destination country and HS code and should be confirmed with your customs broker.
Frequently asked questions
Must export shipments use timber crates? Not always. Cartons with EPE corner protection and foam wrap are sufficient for most small and medium items. For very heavy parts, glass components and high-gloss baked enamel surfaces, timber crates significantly reduce breakage. Export shipments also require a decision on fumigation and moisture protection.
How many containers does one store need? As a working figure, a 20GP container holds roughly the fixture volume for a store of 100–150 m². Tall cabinets and full-height shelving are better shipped in 40HQ containers. Actual container count depends on the crating plan and fill factor — which is why a packing plan belongs in the shop drawing package.
Can the client handle overseas installation themselves? Yes, provided the structures are not overly complex and the client has local construction resources. In that case the supplier should provide bilingual installation drawings, exploded views and online guidance, with video support at critical steps.