Sourcing base-metal toe rings from China
Base-metal toe rings from China carry 4% UK duty across the relevant tariff lines. For sale in Great Britain, confirm with HSE which UK REACH restrictions apply to cadmium and lead in the jewellery and nickel release from prolonged skin-contact parts. Specify the fit, base metal and plating before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources base-metal toe rings.
UK duty on base-metal toe rings
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7117 covers imitation jewellery. Base-metal toe rings fall within its other base-metal jewellery lines, whether or not plated with precious metal. Hand-made articles without glass parts use 7117 19 00 10; other articles use 7117 19 00 90, subject to classification of the actual goods. The table shows product variants sharing these codes. See the base-metal anklet guide for the wider heading.
Both relevant lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded. The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import. Seal products for trade require a seal catch certificate. CITES-listed species require permits. For any animal-derived decoration, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker before ordering from China.
Confirm the manufacturing method, base metal and any glass decoration before choosing the commodity code. An adjustable opening does not establish that a ring is hand-made. Keep the supplier's material declaration and product photographs with your classification records. Check UK import duty and VAT when budgeting for import taxes.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made base-metal toe rings without glass parts | 7117 19 00 10 | 4% | None |
| Machine-made base-metal toe rings | 7117 19 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the opening, fit and plating
State whether the toe ring is open and adjustable or a closed band. Specify its internal dimensions, band width, thickness, opening gap and acceptable tolerances. Agree the adjustment range on a physical sample, including whether the ends overlap or press into the toe. Check comfort while wearing the footwear your customers are likely to use.
Name the base metal separately from the plating and protective coating. Describe decorative inserts by material, including whether they are glass. Approve a sample for colour, edge finish and adjustment behaviour, then retain it for comparison with production.
Confirm with HSE which UK REACH restrictions apply to cadmium and lead in the jewellery and nickel release where parts remain against the skin. Ask for laboratory reports covering your ring's actual base metal, plating and decorations. Check that the tested item matches the order; a report for another finish does not establish the performance of yours. Arrange testing and certification around the agreed specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 machine-made base-metal toe rings under 7117 19 00 90, invoiced at £300 free on board, with £135 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £435. Duty at 4% is £17.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £452.40, so it is £90.48. Import taxes total £107.88; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £17.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure internal dimensions and opening gaps across different packs; compare adjustment behaviour with the approved sample.
Edges: inspect both ends, the inner surface and decorative settings for burrs, sharp points and snagging.
Finish: compare plating colour and coverage, especially inside the band and around the opening; check for flaking after agreed adjustment checks.
Identity: match styles, pack counts and material descriptions to the order, and match laboratory reports to the supplied construction.
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What goes wrong
An adjustable ring can arrive too stiff to fit comfortably or too soft to hold its shape. Poorly finished ends can press into the toe, while raised decoration can rub against footwear. Photographs rarely reveal these problems, so approve and inspect physical samples.
A matching surface colour can conceal a changed base metal or plating process. These changes can affect adjustment behaviour and skin-contact performance. Resolve discrepancies before sale: products should only be sold once compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on base-metal toe rings from China?
The relevant lines, 7117 19 00 10 and 7117 19 00 90, carry 4% duty in the supplied tariff reading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded.
Which commodity code covers adjustable toe rings?
Check how they are made and whether they contain glass. Hand-made base-metal rings without glass parts may use 7117 19 00 10; other base-metal rings use 7117 19 00 90. Adjustability alone does not settle classification.
What chemical checks should I request for toe rings?
Request reports for cadmium, lead and nickel release covering the ordered base metal, plating and decoration. Nickel release matters because the ring remains against the skin.
What should I inspect when toe rings arrive?
Check fit, opening gaps, adjustment stiffness, smooth ends, secure decoration and plating coverage. Compare pieces from different packs with the approved sample and written specification.