Stones buying guideLast updated October 2026

Sintered Stone

Heat-, UV- and stain-proof slabs, thin enough for anything.

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Price level
Premium
Best to buy
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Top sources
China flagSpain flagItaly flagIndia flag
Large-format sintered stone slab with grey marble look on a warehouse rack

Photo: Irvanderss, CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

What is sintered stone?

Sintered stone (also sold as porcelain slabs or ultra-compact surfaces) is made by pressing mineral powders, such as clays, feldspars, silica and metal-oxide pigments, into large thin slabs and firing them at around 1,200 °C. The particles fuse without resin, so the surface resists heat, UV, stains and scratches. Digital printing reproduces marble, stone and concrete looks, with through-body veining on premium lines.

Slabs are large (about 3.2 × 1.6 m) and thin (6, 12 or 20 mm), ideal for seamless walls, furniture and façades. They are brittle during handling and need specialist fabrication.

Composition
Fired minerals, no resin
Water absorption
≤ 0.5% (porcelain class BIa); usually far lower
Heat
Excellent: hot pans are fine
UV
Excellent: outdoor-safe
Thickness
6, 12 and 20 mm
Slab size
Up to about 3.2 × 1.6 m

Applications

Best used for

  • Kitchen worktopsHeat- and stain-proof.
  • Outdoor kitchensUV-stable and frost-resistant.
  • Ventilated façadesThin, light, large-format cladding.
  • Furniture and tablesThin slabs on light frames.
  • Showers with few jointsFloor-to-ceiling panels.

Think twice for

  • Knock-prone edges. Edges can chip; choose eased or mitred details.
  • DIY installs. Needs specialist tools, handling frames and training.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for sintered stone, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.
  • China flag

    China Leading source

    Foshan is the global volume base

    • Foshan (Guangdong) ceramic cluster
    Vendors in China
  • Spain flag

    Spain

    Pioneers of ultra-compact surfaces

    • Dekton (Cosentino)
    • Neolith (TheSize)
    Vendors in Spain
  • Italy flag

    Italy

    Design-led large-format porcelain

    • Laminam
    • Lapitec
    • Florim
    Vendors in Italy
  • India flag

    India

    Fast-growing porcelain-slab exporter

    • Morbi (Gujarat) cluster
    Vendors in India

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Factory-made, so buy around the Lunar New Year (China) and August (Spain and Italy) shutdowns.

  1. Jan: slower or pricier
  2. Feb: slower or pricier
  3. Mar: best time to buy
  4. Apr: best time to buy
  5. May: best time to buy
  6. Jun: normal
  7. Jul: normal
  8. Aug: slower or pricier
  9. Sep: best time to buy
  10. Oct: best time to buy
  11. Nov: best time to buy
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • Foshan plants close for Lunar New Year; Spanish and Italian plants slow in August.
  • Thin slabs ship on A-frames in containers. Check how they are braced.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

  • 6907.21Ceramic slabs and tiles, absorption ≤ 0.5%

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United States8.5% to 10% plus AD/CVDAnti-dumping and countervailing duty orders are in effect for ceramic tile from China and India. Slabs are included in the scope.
  • European Union5% + anti-dumpingAnti-dumping up to 69.7% on Chinese ceramic tiles, with further duties on Indian and Turkish product.
  • United Kingdom4% + anti-dumpingAnti-dumping up to 69.7% on Chinese ceramic tiles.

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

  • China flagChina+12.5% & 30112.5% Section 301 (2026) plus the legacy China Section 301 duty (25% on most stone and machinery lines), on top of MFN.
  • Spain flagSpain10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • Italy flagItaly10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • India flagIndia+10%Section 301 (2026) adds 10% on top of the MFN rate.
  • US anti-dumping and countervailing orders cover ceramic tile from China and a countervailing order covers India. Slabs and panels are specifically included in the scope.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

  1. 1Ask for through-body veining if edges and sink cut-outs will show; surface-printed slabs have plain edges.
  2. 2Check flatness and warp on large slabs.
  3. 3Use A-frames and slab-handling frames: thin slabs crack when flexed.
  4. 4Confirm your fabricator has sintered-rated blades and experience.
  5. 5For façades, request system approvals for the anchoring or bonding method.

Price level: Chinese and Indian slabs are competitive; Spanish and Italian brands are premium.

Vendor Network

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