Sourcing ceramic decorative pumpkins from China

Ceramic decorative pumpkin duty: 2% or 6%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6913 covers statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles, including purely decorative ceramic pumpkins. Goods from China carry 2% duty for common pottery and 6% for porcelain or china, earthenware or fine pottery, and other ceramics. The supplied tariff snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and waste import controls. Imports of cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned, so check any fur trim. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; for goods shipped as waste from China, confirm requirements with your customs broker. The snapshot also lists cat and dog fur export controls, waste export controls and a DCMS export licence measure; have your broker distinguish these from import checks.

Confirm the ceramic body, manufacturing method and intended use before choosing the commodity code. Hand-painted decoration alone does not establish how the body was manufactured: ask the factory to describe the process. A pumpkin sold for holding food needs a separate classification assessment. See the wider ceramic ornaments and figurines guide.

Specify the pumpkin body, stalk and glaze

Specify the ceramic body, dimensions, weight, rib shape, stalk construction and whether the pumpkin is solid, hollow or fitted with a removable lid. Approve a physical master sample for glaze colour, gloss, speckling and painted details. Agree acceptable variation, base pads and packaging that cushions the stalk without letting the body move.

This guide focuses on unlit decorative pumpkins. Consumer ornaments sold in Great Britain must be safe, and responsibility for product safety continues after sale. Assess sharp edges, detachable stalks and stability. If the design invites children's play, holds food, or contains lights or batteries, assess the applicable toy, food-contact or electrical rules. A decorative-use label does not itself remove applicable obligations.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,800 porcelain decorative pumpkins for a seasonal retailer, illustrative order under 6913 10 00 90, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 6% is £1,050. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,550, so it is £3,710. Import taxes total £4,760; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,050 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Body and stalk: check sampled pumpkins for cracks around the stalk root, chipped ribs, sharp mould seams and insecure glued parts.

Glaze and decoration: compare with the master sample in daylight; check for pinholes, crawling, crazing, exposed body and uneven coverage between ribs.

Base and lid: check that each pumpkin stands without rocking, base pads cover rough contact points, and any lid seats properly without scraping the glaze.

Packing and identification: check separate cushioning around stalks and lids, carton contents against the order, and agreed labels and batch references. Open cartons after the agreed packing drop test and check for hidden damage.

What goes wrong

Projecting stalks can snap when inserts press against them or pumpkins collide inside cartons. Thin cushioning leaves ribs chipped, while a warped base makes the pumpkin rock. Glaze can pool between ribs or leave raised edges bare. Record acceptable appearance and packing against the approved sample before production.

Seasonal designs can arrive too late for the planned selling window, and mixed cartons can contain the wrong colour or size assortment. Confirm the dispatch plan and carton breakdown, then inspect finished stock and packing before shipment. Use the quality inspection guide to define the checks.

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.