Sourcing desk and travel clocks from China
Desk, travel and other small clocks fitted with watch movements from China pay 4% UK duty on both lines of heading 9103, with no anti-dumping duty. The tariff attaches a CITES import control, so declare that the clock contains no protected species, or hold the CITES certificate if it does. Buyers also check the movement, accuracy, battery and finish.
4% duty and the CITES control
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 9103 covers clocks with watch movements, other than instrument-panel clocks of heading 9104. Both lines, electrically operated and other, carried 4% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Both lines carry a CITES import control: import is allowed on presentation of a CITES certificate, or on a declaration that the goods do not belong to species covered by the convention. Cases in exotic timbers, shell, leather or bone need checking before you order. Wall and alarm clocks with clock movements are covered in our wall clocks guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clocks with watch movements, electrically operated | 9103 10 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Clocks with watch movements, other | 9103 90 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specifying the clock
Specify the movement type and maker, accuracy, battery type and life, case materials and finish, dial printing and branding, packaging and the gift box. Batteries bring the Batteries and Accumulators Regulations, and the WEEE producer rules apply to electrically operated clocks sold in the UK; see our WEEE guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 3,000 branded desk clocks with quartz watch movements under 9103 10 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,800. Duty at 4% is £632. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,432, so it is £3,286.40. Import taxes total £3,918.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £632 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Function: run samples for 24 hours and check timekeeping and the second hand.
Finish: check case plating, dial printing, glass and hands alignment.
Materials and packing: confirm case materials against the CITES declaration and check the gift boxes. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Small clock orders fail on movements, finish and materials. Cheaper movements are fitted, hands catch, plating tarnishes, and a case in an undeclared protected timber stops at the border.
Cambridge China Bridge sources branded clocks and gifts for UK retailers and promotional buyers from small runs; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on small clocks from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, clocks with watch movements under heading 9103 carried 4% from China.
Why does a clock need a CITES declaration?
Heading 9103 carries a CITES import control; declare that no protected species are used, or present a CITES certificate.
What is the difference between 9103 and 9105?
Heading 9103 is clocks with watch movements; most wall and alarm clocks have clock movements and fall under 9105.
What should I test on small clocks?
Timekeeping over 24 hours, the hands, battery life and the case finish.