Sourcing artificial flower petals from China

UK duty and petal materials

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6702 covers artificial flowers, foliage and fruit, their parts and articles made from them. Artificial flower petals fall within the parts covered by this heading. The supplied data shows 4% duty for goods from China under both material lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions.

The other-material line carries CITES import and export controls. CITES concerns listed natural species and their parts or products, rather than simply a flower-like appearance. Official guidance says permits are required for species listed in Annex A, B or C. If petals incorporate natural material, identify its species and ask your customs broker to confirm the CITES documents required for the shipment from China.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual material and construction. The table shows petal variants sharing the supplied material codes, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. See the artificial flower heads guide for the wider heading.

Petal shape, fabric and colour

Specify loose petals or parts for flower assembly, the material, shape, dimensions, thickness, edge finish and colour mix. For fabric petals, agree the weave and whether the surface is matt or glossy. For moulded petals, approve the curl and flexibility. Keep physical samples because photographs can hide shine, translucency and uneven cutting. For assembled displays, see our guide to artificial flower hanging baskets.

Agree the contents of each bag and how colours are separated. Test samples on the intended tablecloth or display surface for colour transfer. Consumer products must be safe; include cut edges and loose glitter or flock in the review. If a venue requests fire performance evidence, agree its test method and check that the report covers the supplied material and treatment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 retail bags of plastic artificial flower petals under 6702 10 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,120 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,120. Duty at 4% is £164.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,284.80, so it is £856.96. Import taxes total £1,021.76; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £164.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Colour and surface: compare production petals with retained samples in daylight; rub dark colours against pale cloth and check glitter or flock shedding.

Shape and edges: spread petals out, compare their outline and curl, and check fraying, rough cut edges, moulding flash and fused petals.

Bag contents: check the agreed quantity, colour mix and separation; look for scraps, dust and petals stuck together.

Packing and storage: unpack compressed bags to check creases and recovery; inspect for dampness, odour and sticky coatings. Use the retained sample for quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A sample bag can conceal mixed dye batches, uneven shapes and short contents. Fabric petals may fray or transfer colour onto pale tablecloths, while coated petals can stick together in storage. Inspect production bags from different cartons and record defects against the approved sample.

Petals may arrive flattened or permanently creased after tight packing. A factory may replace the approved fabric or coating, changing the appearance and any requested fire performance evidence. Record the material and finish in the order, and ask the intended venue whether loose artificial petals are acceptable before buying.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.