Sourcing cultured pearl necklaces from China

0% duty on pearl necklaces

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 7116 covers articles of natural or cultured pearls and precious or semi-precious stones. Cultured pearl necklaces classified under 7116 10 00 00 carry 0% duty from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for that line. The necklace variants in the table share the same commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an ivory import control and a CITES import-control flag to the pearl line. Specify no ivory components and ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for the complete necklace before shipment. The Ivory Act bans dealing in ivory; exemption eligibility needs checking where ivory is involved. CITES permits are required for species listed in Annex A, B or C.

Confirm the commodity code using the complete materials list, including clasps, settings and decorative components. Precious-metal parts can change classification. For the other products within this heading, see our pearl and gemstone jewellery guide.

Specify the pearls, strand and clasp

Specify freshwater or saltwater cultured pearls, shape, size range, colour, lustre and acceptable surface blemishes. Agree matching along the strand, finished length, thread material, knotting, clasp material and plating. Keep an approved necklace as the comparison sample, with photographs showing the agreed appearance.

Get dyeing, bleaching and other treatments stated in writing. Product listings should describe cultured pearls accurately and reflect treatments. Confirm with the relevant authority which UK REACH nickel-release restrictions apply to skin-contact metal findings and which cadmium and lead restrictions apply to jewellery parts. Ask for reports covering the actual findings supplied. Necklaces sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 cultured pearl necklaces (illustrative order) under 7116 10 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,300, so it is £660. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Pearl matching: compare colour, lustre, shape and size along sampled necklaces against the approved sample.

Surface and drilling: check blemishes, damaged drill holes and rough edges where the thread passes through.

Stringing and clasp: check finished length, knot consistency, thread fraying, clasp operation and attachment security.

Identity and reports: match treatment declarations and findings test reports to the delivered design and materials. Use testing and certification support where laboratory checks are needed.

What goes wrong

A sample can have closely matched pearls while bulk necklaces contain mixed lustre, colour or surface quality. Loose knots, rough drill holes and weak clasp attachments can shorten the life of a strand. Agree rejection criteria against the approved sample before production.

Undisclosed dyeing and replacement clasp materials can leave descriptions or test reports mismatched to the delivered goods. Record the agreed materials and treatments, then compare the shipment with that record. See quality inspection explained.

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.