If you’re a tile exporter in India (or a serious B2B buyer in Albania), tiles export to Albania in 2025 is a massive opportunity – but only if you understand duties, EN 14411 certification, anti-dumping costs, shipping, and buyer expectations.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to profitably export ceramic and porcelain tiles from India to Albania – from HS codes and CIF pricing to buyer pain points, quality grades, and competitor pricing vs China, Spain, Italy, and Turkey.
This guide on Tiles Export to Albania helps importers, distributors, and contractors understand real pricing, duties, and compliance requirements.
To explore all export-ready sizes, designs and finishes, browse our complete Tiles Collection:
https://scalaneinternational.com/tiles-collection/
Table of Contents
- Albania Tile Market Snapshot (2025)
- Market Demand & Buyer Segments
- Popular Tile Sizes, Finishes & Designs in Albania
- HS Codes & Import Duties on Tiles to Albania
- Required Certifications & Documents (EN 14411, CE, ISO)
- Shipping Tiles from India to Albania: Cost & Transit Time
- FOB vs CIF Pricing Examples for Tiles to Albania
- India vs China vs Spain vs Italy vs Turkey – Who Really Wins?
- Buyer Pain Points in Albania – And How to Solve Them
- Step-by-Step: How to Import Tiles from India to Albania
- How to Choose Quality Tiles: Grades, Water Absorption & Standards
- Local SEO & Keyword Strategy for Targeting Albania Buyers
- FAQs: Tiles Export to Albania (2025)
- Next Step: Get a CIF Albania Quote for Your Next Tile Shipment
Albania Tile Market Snapshot (2025)
Before you talk FOB price, CIF Albania, or import documentation, you need to know if the Albania ceramic tiles market is worth the effort.
Here’s your quick Albania market snapshot:
- Construction sector = 14.4% of GDP (one of the highest shares in Europe)
- 5–7% annual construction growth – driven by residential and tourism
- €7B+ EU Renovation Wave funding flowing into Albania and the wider Balkans
- 10.2M+ tourists in the first 9 months of 2025 – with 2.38M in August alone
- Ceramic tiles market growing at 4–6% CAGR (2024–2031)
- April–August peak demand season with +40–50% volume vs rest of the year
For tile exporters in India, this means:
- Strong demand for ceramic tiles Albania supplier partnerships
- Growing search volume for porcelain tiles wholesale Albania, bulk tiles importer Albania, and ceramic tiles export India Albania
- Huge potential for those who understand compliance (EN 14411, CE) and can handle CIF Albania logistics via Durrës port tile import
If you position yourself as a trusted ISO 9001 tile manufacturer with EN 14411 ceramic tiles supplier credentials, Albania is not a “side market” – it’s a serious, medium-term growth bet.
Market Demand & Buyer Segments
Albania Construction & Tile Demand Drivers
Key demand drivers for ceramic and porcelain tiles in Albania:
- Residential modernization – young urban buyers (median age ~37) want modern bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces
- Tourism & hospitality – hotels, resorts and restaurants in Tirana, Vlora, Durrës, Elbasan constantly upgrade interiors
- Public infrastructure & EU-funded renovations – schools, hospitals, government buildings
- Limited local production – Albania heavily depends on imports for floor tiles, wall tiles, bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles, and commercial tiles
The market composition:
- 65%+ residential (mostly renovation, not new construction)
- 20–25% commercial (hotels, malls, offices, showrooms)
- 10–15% public projects
If you’re targeting commercial tiles, hospitality tiles, retail tiles, office tiles, Albania has enough volume to fill containers consistently – if you work with the right tile importer Albania Durrës or ceramic tiles distributor network.
Buyer Personas in Albania
You’re not selling to “everyone.” You’re selling to clear buyer personas:
1. Premium Buyer (≈40% of market)
- Buys Grade 4–5 ceramic or porcelain tiles
- Focus: hotel tiles, luxury residential, boutique hospitality tiles
- Loves large-format 60×120 porcelain floor tiles Grade 4, marble-look, stone-effect tiles, wood-effect tiles
- Searches for:
- “premium tiles Albania”
- “EN 14411 ceramic tiles supplier”
- “ISO 9001 tile manufacturer”
- “hotel bathroom tile supplier ISO 9001”
2. Commercial Buyer (≈35% of market)
- Contractors, builders, developers
- Uses Grade 3–4 floor tiles commercial grade in bulk
- Very sensitive to FOB vs CIF, MOQ, and payment terms
- Searches for:
- “glazed floor tiles commercial grade”
- “porcelain tiles bulk price”
- “bulk ceramic tiles manufacturer”
- “tiles importer exporter”
3. Distribution Buyer (≈25% of market)
- Tiles distributor network, retail chains, showrooms
- Buys mixed quality and sizes based on what retail tiles customers want
- Needs variety: matte tiles, glossy tiles, subway tiles, mosaic tiles, backsplash tiles
- Searches for:
- “ceramic tiles distributor”
- “tiles wholesale supplier”
- “bulk tiles wholesale Albania”
- “tiles supplier near me”
If your catalog covers floor tiles, wall tiles, porcelain tiles, vitrified tiles, glazed tiles, unglazed tiles, and you can show Grade 4–5 certificates, you can serve all three personas.
For more global flooring options, see our Indian Flooring Exporter page.
https://scalaneinternational.com/indian-flooring-exporter/
Popular Tile Sizes, Finishes & Designs in Albania
Tile Sizes Guide: 30×60 vs 60×120
Albania has very clear preferences when it comes to tile sizes:
- 600×1200 mm (60×120) – 35–40% market share
- Fastest-growing segment
- Used in modern living rooms, hotel lobbies, commercial spaces
- Perfect for large-format tiles, seamless aesthetic, concrete-effect tiles, marble-effect tiles
- 300×600 mm (30×60) – 25–30% market share
- Bathroom walls, kitchen tiles, backsplash tiles
- Ideal for matte ceramic wall tiles, especially 30×60 matte ceramic wall tiles bulk price India queries
- 600×600 mm (60×60) – 15–20% market share
- Key size for floor tiles commercial grade in offices and showrooms
- Great for matte finish 60×60 floor tiles MOQ 5000 pieces type orders
- 300×300 mm & mosaics – niche but still in demand for pool tiles, deck tiles, outdoor tiles, accent tiles, decorative tiles, wall cladding tiles
If you position yourself as a 60×120 tiles FOB price India specialist, you will align perfectly with top tile sizes finishes for 2025 market trends in Albania.
Most Popular Tile Finishes
Albania is a matte-first market:
- Matte/matt tiles – 50%+ demand
- Best for bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles, high-traffic areas
- Strong demand for matte finish porcelain tiles wholesale
- High-gloss/polished tiles – 20–25%
- Focus on luxury tiles, hotel lobbies, designer living rooms
- Often polished porcelain tiles 30×60 Grade 4 or larger
- Satin, semi-gloss tiles – 15–20%
- Textured/relief, slip-resistant tiles – 5–8%
- Used as slip-resistant tiles in bathrooms, outdoor tiles, industrial tiles supplier projects
Color & Design Trends
- Neutral tones – white, beige, light grey dominate
- Natural stone-effect tiles – marble-effect tiles, travertine, concrete-effect tiles
- Wood-effect tiles – for living rooms, bedrooms, hospitality tiles
- Biophilic & minimalist designs – clean, monochromatic, nature-inspired
If your catalog includes digital print tiles, 3D relief tiles, embossed tiles, hand-painted tiles, highlight them for designer and luxury tiles market in Albania.
To explore our full export range, visit our Porcelain & Vitrified Tiles Collection.
https://scalaneinternational.com/porcelain-vitrified-tiles/
HS Codes & Import Duties on Tiles to Albania
Key HS Codes for Tiles Export to Albania
Most tile imports to Albania fall under HS codes 6907 and 6908:
- HS 6907.10 – Glazed ceramic wall tiles
- HS 6907.21 – Glazed ceramic floor tiles (most common)
- HS 6907.30 – Glazed ceramic mosaic tiles
- HS 6908.10 – Unglazed ceramic wall tiles
- HS 6908.21 – Unglazed ceramic floor tiles
- HS 6908.90 – Other unglazed ceramic tiles
If you’re listing products as ceramic tiles FOB on your export documents, make sure HS codes are accurate – wrong HS classification can delay tile import documentation requirements and customs clearance.
Import Duty Structure: India → Albania (2025)
For Indian tile exporters, the bad news is the EU anti-dumping duty on Indian tiles. Albania aligns with EU standards and trade policy.
Here’s the breakdown:
- MFN customs duty on tiles: 0–6.6%
- Anti-dumping duty on Indian tiles: 6.7–8.7% (average used in calculations ≈7.5%)
- VAT on imports: 20% (on CIF + duties)
- Scanning/admin fee: €5–€22/shipment
Net effect:
- Indian tiles pay full MFN rate + anti-dumping duty + VAT
- This makes Indian tiles 15–22% more expensive than Chinese tiles on a landed basis
So if a buyer searches “tiles CIF Albania customs duty calculation”, the message you must give is:
Yes, India pays more duty vs China. But you’re getting better quality, EN 14411-certified tiles, consistency, and service – and that protects your project margins long-term.
For official Albania tariff data, refer to the WTO Tariff Database.
https://www.wto.org
Required Certifications & Documents (EN 14411, CE, ISO)
If you want to be a serious ceramic tiles Albania supplier, compliance is non-negotiable.
Mandatory Certifications
To pass Albanian & EU-aligned regulations, you must provide:
- EN 14411:2016 compliance – core European standard for ceramic tiles
- CE marking on all tiles – CE marked tiles certificate test reports must be available
- Water absorption test report – especially important for porcelain tiles bulk price discussions; Albania buyers want water absorption <0.5% porcelain tiles India for wet areas
- Breaking strength certificate
- Slip resistance (R-value) for commercial tiles, bathroom tiles, hotel tiles, restaurant tiles
Highly Recommended
- ISO 9001 – shows you’re a quality-assured ISO 9001 tile manufacturer
- ISO 14001 – for sustainability-focused buyers, especially larger projects
- Third-party testing – SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek
- Thermal shock resistance, stain resistance for higher-end hospitality tiles
Documentation Checklist for Tiles Import to Albania
This is your import documentation checklist tiles to Albania:
- Commercial invoice (with ceramic tiles FOB/CIF, HS code, unit price)
- Packing list (box-wise, pallet-wise details)
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Insurance certificate (for CIF)
- Product specification sheet
- CE Declaration of Conformity
- EN 14411 test reports
- ISO 9001 certificate copy
- VAT registration of importer
With complete documentation, customs clearance in Durrës takes around 2–3 working days (4–5 during April–September).
For European tile standards, check the EU EN 14411 documentation page.
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu
Shipping Tiles from India to Albania: Cost & Transit Time
Shipping Route & Transit Time
- Main Indian origin ports: Mundra, Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), Chennai
- Destination: Port of Durrës, Albania
- Route: India → Suez Canal → Mediterranean Sea → Durrës
- Transit time: 62–83 days
Yes, that’s nearly 80+ days delivery timeline vs 20–30 days from EU. This is one of the biggest buyer pain points.
FCL & LCL Basics
- 20ft FCL: 10–12 pallets, ≈1,000 sqm (depends on tile type/packing)
- 40ft FCL: 20–24 pallets
- LCL (less-than-container): available but 2–3x more expensive per sqm vs FCL – not suitable for competitive tiles CIF Albania pricing
Freight & Insurance Cost Ballpark
For a 20ft container of tiles:
- Freight: $1,005–$1,656 per 20ft
- Approx $0.12–$0.25/sqm at ~1,000 sqm load
- Insurance: 1–2% of CIF value
- Approx $0.04–$0.08/sqm
Remember: Shipping cost India to Albania tiles can vary with season; peak summer (May–August) rates are 10–15% higher.
India vs China vs Spain vs Italy vs Turkey – Who Really Wins?
For Albania ceramic tiles importers, the math is simple:
- For pure price, they’ll search “bulk tiles importer Albania” and often default to China or Turkey.
- For premium projects, they will go to Spain and Italy.
- India sits in the middle – too expensive to fight China, but more affordable than Spain/Italy.
That’s why your competitive advantage strategy must be:
- Position on Grade 4–5 quality
- Highlight EN 14411 standard tiles, CE marking, water absorption, slip resistance
- Show ISO 9001 ceramic tiles supplier credentials
- Focus on relationship, service, documentation, pre-shipment inspections, and customization
Don’t sell yourself as “cheap India.” Sell yourself as “factory-direct, quality-assured, EN 14411-certified tile manufacturer with consistent supply and long-term partnership focus.”
Step-by-Step: How to Import Tiles from India to Albania
Many buyers literally Google “how to import tiles from India” or “tile import documentation requirements”. Here’s the process you should share (and follow).
Step 1 – Define Requirements
- Tile type: ceramic vs porcelain tiles difference (porcelain for wet areas, ceramic for walls)
- Application: bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles, hotel tiles, restaurant tiles, outdoor tiles
- Size: 30×60 vs 60×120, 60×60, mosaics
- Finish: matte vs glossy tiles which better for each area
- Target grade: Grade 3–5
Step 2 – Shortlist Suppliers
Look for:
- ISO 9001 tile manufacturer
- EN 14411 ceramic tiles supplier
- Experience with CIF Albania and Durres port tile import
- Ability to provide commercial tiles FOB and tiles CIF Albania customs duty calculation
Step 3 – Get FOB & CIF Quotes
Ask clearly for:
- FOB price India per sqm
- Separate line items for freight + insurance
- Approximate landed cost including duties + VAT
Step 4 – Samples & Quality Checks
- Order sample boxes for water absorption coefficient tiles explained verification
- Check breaking strength, surface finish, slip-resistance
- Confirm grade classification (Grade 1–5)
Step 5 – Finalize Contract & Payment Terms
- Agree on MOQ (FCL/LCL)
- Set payment terms (LC, TT, 40–60)
- Confirm delivery timeline (production + 62–83 day voyage)
Step 6 – Documentation & Shipment
Your supplier prepares all import documentation checklist tiles to Albania:
- Invoice, packing list, BL, COO, EN 14411, CE, ISO, water absorption, slip-resistance test reports
Step 7 – Customs Clearance & Delivery
- Local customs broker in Albania clears the shipment at Durrës
- Tiles are transported to Tirana, Vlora, Elbasan, or other cities via trucks
You now have a repeatable import workflow that you can reuse for every shipment.
How to Choose Quality Tiles: Grades, Water Absorption & Standards
Many buyers are still searching “how to choose quality tiles”, “tile grades explained Grade 1–5”, and “water absorption coefficient tiles explained”. Use this section to educate them (and build trust).
Tile Grades (Grade 1–5)
- Grade 1–2 – Poor quality, high defects (not recommended)
- Grade 3 – Standard residential quality; good for budget bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles
- Grade 4 – Heavy-duty; used for commercial tiles, hospitality tiles, retail tiles, office tiles
- Grade 5 – Premium, luxury; used in luxury tiles market in Albania, hotels, malls, high-end homes
Albania market prefers Grade 3 for standard residential, Grade 4–5 for commercial and luxury.
Ceramic vs Porcelain Tiles Difference
- Porcelain tiles
- Lower water absorption (<0.5%)
- Harder, more durable
- Better for bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor tiles, pool tiles
- Ceramic tiles
- Higher water absorption
- Great for wall tiles, indoor low-traffic areas
- Often more affordable
That’s why porcelain vs ceramic tiles complete comparison guide content works so well – it answers what buyers already search.
Water Absorption & Durability
Water absorption coefficient tiles explained simply:
- <0.5% – porcelain, ideal for wet areas
- 0.5–3% – good quality ceramic
- >10% – very porous, only for special cases
Combine this with EN 14411 standard tiles what is type explanation:
EN 14411 is the European standard that defines performance, water absorption, breaking strength, slip-resistance and quality requirements for ceramic tiles. If your tiles are EN 14411-compliant, they meet the essential European quality standards for durability and safety.
FAQs: Tiles Export to Albania (2025)
1. What are ceramic tiles used for?
Ceramic tiles are used in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, commercial spaces, outdoor areas and wall cladding. You’ll find them as bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles, backsplash tiles, wall cladding tiles, accent tiles and decorative tiles in both residential and commercial projects.
2. What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles?
The key ceramic vs porcelain tiles difference is water absorption and durability:
- Porcelain has water absorption <0.5%, is denser and stronger – ideal for wet areas and high-traffic floors.
- Ceramic usually has higher water absorption, making it better for indoor walls and lighter-traffic areas and generally more affordable.
3. How long do ceramic tiles last?
With proper installation and maintenance, ceramic tiles can last 10–20+ years. Higher tile grades (Grade 4–5), correct adhesive, and good grout significantly improve lifespan, especially in commercial tiles and industrial tiles applications.
4. Are ceramic tiles waterproof?
Glazed ceramic tiles are highly water-resistant, but not fully waterproof. The water absorption coefficient matters, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. For areas that are constantly wet, porcelain tiles with <0.5% water absorption are recommended.
5. What is the best way to clean ceramic tiles?
Use pH-neutral cleaners, soft brushes or mops, and avoid harsh acids or abrasive pads. This keeps matte tiles, glossy tiles, satin tiles and textured tiles looking new and protects the glaze.
6. How to import tiles from India to Albania?
To import tiles from India, follow these steps:
- Decide on size (30×60 vs 60×120), finish (matte vs glossy tiles which better for your use), and grade.
- Shortlist an EN 14411 ceramic tiles supplier and ISO 9001 tile manufacturer in India.
- Request FOB and CIF Albania quotes.
- Approve samples and test reports.
- Finalize contract, MOQ, and payment terms.
- Ensure all tile import documentation requirements are met (invoice, BL, COO, EN 14411, CE).
- Clear customs at Durrës and arrange inland transport.
7. What is water absorption coefficient in tiles?
The water absorption coefficient measures how much water a tile absorbs:
- Porcelain tiles: <0.5%
- Standard ceramic: 0.5–10%
- High absorption: >10%
It’s critical for bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor tiles and is a key parameter in EN 14411 standard classification.
Next Step: Get a CIF Albania Quote for Your Next Tile Shipment
If you’re an Albania tile importer, distributor, retailer, or contractor searching for:
- Porcelain tiles wholesale Albania
- Bulk ceramic tiles manufacturer from India
- EN 14411 ceramic tiles supplier with ISO 9001
- Reliable partner for Durres port tile import with clear tiles CIF Albania customs duty calculation
…then your next move is simple:
- Shortlist your required sizes & finishes
- 60×120 large-format porcelain
- 30×60 matte ceramic wall tiles
- 60×60 floor tiles commercial grade
- Request a detailed FOB & CIF Durrës quote
- Include shipping cost India to Albania tiles breakdown
- Ask for Grade 3–5 options, EN 14411, CE and ISO certificates
- Plan production + shipping around April–August peak demand
- Use this guide as your complete Albania ceramic tile import guide for 2025 and beyond.
Contact us :
Phone no. : +91 9408897009 (whatsapp)
Email : exports@scalaneinternational.com