Sourcing decorative ginger jars from China
Decorative ceramic ginger jars from China carry UK duty of 2% to 6%, depending on the ceramic body. Jars sold to consumers in Great Britain must be safe; confirm with Trading Standards whether food-contact rules apply to the intended use and labelling. Cambridge China Bridge sources decorative ceramic ginger jars.
Decorative ginger jars: 2% or 6% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6913 covers statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles, including purely decorative ginger jars. Goods from China carry 6% duty for porcelain or china, earthenware or fine pottery and other ceramics, or 2% for common pottery. The supplied tariff record 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, including products made from it, are banned: exclude such fur from trims or accessories. For waste shipments under notification controls into England, consent from the Environment Agency and other competent authorities is needed before shipment. If importing discarded ceramic goods from China, confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the ceramic body, manufacturing method and intended use. Food-storage jars need a separate classification assessment. See the wider ceramic ornaments guide. The tariff also lists cultural-object export licensing and fur and waste export controls; confirm the applicable requirements with your broker before re-exporting.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made porcelain decorative ginger jars | 6913 10 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Other porcelain decorative ginger jars | 6913 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Hand-made common-pottery decorative ginger jars | 6913 90 10 10 | 2% | None |
| Other common-pottery decorative ginger jars | 6913 90 10 90 | 2% | None |
| Other earthenware or fine-pottery decorative ginger jars | 6913 90 93 90 | 6% | None |
| Other ceramic decorative ginger jars, including stoneware | 6913 90 98 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the jar body, lid and decoration
Specify the ceramic body, overall dimensions with the lid fitted, mouth opening, weight, lid seating and finial shape. Agree whether decoration is hand-painted or applied by decal, the glaze finish, pattern alignment and acceptable colour variation against a physical master sample. Specify a smooth foot ring or protective pads, and packing that keeps the lid from striking the jar.
Consumer ornaments sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Assess sharp edges, loose finials and stability with the lid fitted. If the jar could foreseeably hold food, confirm with Trading Standards whether food-contact rules apply and whether the proposed decorative-use label is appropriate. Agree the intended use and wording before approving artwork or retail packaging.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 decorative porcelain ginger jars 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
Lid fit: check sampled lids seat on their matching jars without binding, excessive rocking or contact that chips the rim; inspect finials for cracks and loose attachments.
Glaze and pattern: compare jars and lids with the master sample for colour, pattern placement, pinholes, bare patches and unintended crazing.
Base and body: check for cracks, chipped mouths and sharp foot rings; place jars on a flat surface to check stability and protective pads.
Packing: check cushioning separates lids from bodies and protects finials; inspect samples after the agreed carton drop test and repeat damage checks on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A lid approved on a sample may bind or rock on production jars when the opening and lid dimensions vary. Blue decoration can differ between jar and lid, decals can sit crookedly, and rough foot rings can scratch furniture. Approve matched jar-and-lid samples and include these checks in the inspection brief.
Packing that protects the body but leaves the lid loose can produce chipped rims and broken finials. Check the complete retail pack inside its shipping carton. A jar promoted for storing food also needs its intended use reassessed; do not reuse an ornamental specification for a kitchen-storage range.
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 decorative ginger jars from China?
The supplied tariff reading gives 6% for porcelain, earthenware or fine pottery and other ceramics, or 2% for common pottery. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is listed.
Can I sell a decorative ginger jar for storing food?
Assess food-contact compliance and classification before offering it for food storage. Confirm with Trading Standards whether food-contact obligations apply and whether the proposed decorative-use label is appropriate.
What should I specify for the lid?
Agree the seating shape, fit, finial attachment and acceptable movement. Approve a matched jar and lid, then check production samples together.
How should ceramic ginger jars be packed?
Separate and cushion the lid and body, protect the finial and rim, and check the complete shipping pack after an agreed drop test. Inspect for damage again on arrival.