Sourcing base-metal fashion earrings from China

Duty on base-metal fashion earrings

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7117 covers imitation jewellery. The relevant base-metal earring lines both carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded. The table repeats these codes for different earring styles. Hand-made earrings without glass parts have a separate line from other base-metal earrings.

The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must qualify for the indigenous-community exemption and have a seal catch certificate. For CITES-listed decorations, check the species and required import and export documentation before ordering from China. Ask your customs broker to confirm how these controls apply to the actual materials.

Give your broker the finished earring's materials, construction, glass content and manufacturing method. Use finding your commodity code to confirm classification. The fashion brooch guide provides another product guide within the wider heading.

Specify posts, backs and plating separately

Write down the body alloy, post or ear-wire material, back material and plating for each component. Specify overall dimensions, weight, post length and diameter, closure type and acceptable colour variation. State whether the order is counted in pairs and whether backs and display cards are included. Approve a physical sample with the intended packaging.

Confirm applicable UK REACH restrictions on cadmium and lead in jewellery and nickel release from skin-contact parts with the Health and Safety Executive, including the limits for piercing post assemblies and prolonged skin-contact articles. Request reports that identify the actual post, body alloy and finish. A report for another catalogue design does not establish the composition of your earrings.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-style order of paired base-metal earrings under 7117 19 00 90, invoiced at £836 free on board, with £63 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £899. Duty at 4% is £35.96. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £934.96, so it is £186.99. Import taxes total £222.95; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £35.96 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Posts and backs: check alignment, smooth ends and secure retention; operate hinged hoops and clip closures against the approved sample.

Pairs and finish: compare matching shapes, colour and dimensions; look for exposed base metal, plating blisters, scratches and solder residue.

Decorations: check stone settings, glued ornaments and connecting rings for movement or detachment using the agreed inspection method.

Identity and packing: match style and finish to the reports and order; count pairs and backs, and check that packaging prevents posts bending in transit.

What goes wrong

A supplier may change the post alloy or plating while keeping the same catalogue photograph. That can change nickel release as well as colour and wear. Record the approved materials and finish, and ask for any proposed substitution to be reviewed before production.

Loose backs, bent posts and uneven pairs can make otherwise presentable earrings unusable. Inspect packed production samples rather than relying on display samples. Keep suspect styles separate while you check the extent of the defect and agree a remedy.

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.