Morbi competes on range and cost position, and its best plants make tiles to the same international standards as China, Spain and Vietnam. The right choice for you depends less on the country than on the factory, the grade, and the duties your market applies to each origin.
This article compares the four on quality, range, lead time, duties and cost position. It gives no prices, because prices change with fuel, freight and order size. Real figures come from quotes for your specification.
Quality
Tiles from all four origins are tested to the same methods, ISO 10545, and classified under ISO 13006 by water absorption. A porcelain tile from Morbi, sold in India as vitrified, falls in the same BIa group as porcelain from anywhere else. Our guide to ceramic, porcelain and vitrified tiles explains the groups.
The real difference is spread. Morbi has many plants, from modern lines with strict sorting to small plants with loose grading. Spain is known for design and consistent premium quality. China, the largest producer in the world, has the widest spread of all. Vietnam has grown as an alternative supply base. In every country, you need to check the individual factory, its grade definitions and its test reports.
Range
Morbi makes wall tiles, floor tiles, glazed and polished vitrified tiles, double-charge and full-body porcelain, large slabs, outdoor tiles and sanitaryware. Digital printing lets factories launch new designs quickly. China offers a similarly wide range. Spain leads on design development and specialist finishes. If your range is mainstream, Morbi can usually match it.
Lead time
Morbi ready stock often loads in one to three weeks, and made-to-order runs commonly take three to six weeks. The ports of Mundra and Deendayal (Kandla) are a few hours away by road. Sea transit then depends on your destination. Gulf and East African buyers sit close to the Indian west coast. Spain is close for European buyers, and China and Vietnam are closer for East Asian and Pacific markets. Our article on tile production lead time gives the detail.
Duties, as of October 2026
- In the EU, Indian tiles carry a definitive anti-dumping duty of 6.7% to 8.7% under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/265, while Chinese tiles have faced EU anti-dumping duties since 2011, renewed in 2024 by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/493, and Spanish tiles move inside the EU without customs duty.
- In the GCC, anti-dumping duties apply to ceramic and porcelain tiles from both India and China, at rates that vary by exporter.
- In the US, Indian tile carries countervailing duties of about 3% to 3.5%, while Chinese tile has been under both anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders since 2020, continued after a 2026 review.
- For Vietnamese tiles, check your own tariff schedule for any trade remedies that apply to that origin.
Rates are exporter-specific and change. Check with your customs broker before you compare landed costs. Our list of countries with anti-dumping duties on Indian tiles has more detail.
Cost position
Morbi's cost position comes from scale and clustering. Clay and feldspar, machinery service, glaze and frit, packaging and logistics are all in one place, and hundreds of plants compete for the same buyers. Its main weakness is fuel. Morbi kilns depend on gas and propane, so costs move when fuel moves. Spain generally sits at the premium end, with higher energy and labour costs. To compare fairly, compare landed cost per usable square metre, after duty, freight and expected breakage.
Next step
If you are weighing Morbi against another origin, we can collect comparable quotes and samples from audited Morbi factories for your specification. Book a free sourcing review.