Diamond powder and gemstone dust from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 7105 covers dust and powder of natural or synthetic precious or semi-precious stones. Both lines, of diamonds (7105 10 00 00) and other (7105 90 00 00), carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure, no registration and no suspension.

Diamond powder bonded into wheels, discs and saw segments is classified with those tools (see our grinding and cutting wheels guide and drill bits and saw blades guide); confirm the commodity code.

Neighbouring codes to rule out

Diamond powder sits next to three headings that buyers mix it up with. Loose synthetic diamond crystals and grit that is not a powder are heading 7104; diamond bonded into grinding wheels, discs and wire is heading 6804; and saw blades and drill bits with diamond working parts are classified as tools, see our drill bits and saw blades guide. All of these were 0% on goods from China when read, so the code affects statistics and records more than cost.

Handling

Fine powders need dust control in handling, and the supplier's safety data sheet should state any hazard classification under the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. For dust collection components, see our industrial filter bags sourcing guide.

Specifying diamond powder

Specify natural or synthetic, mono- or polycrystalline, mesh or micron size range and the sizing method, the share of oversize and undersize particles, crystal shape, strength or toughness index, thermal stability, coating (nickel, copper or titanium) if any, impurity content, and packing by carat.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 5,000 carats of synthetic diamond micron powder under 7105 10 00 00. At £2,500 free on board and £150 to ship and insure, the customs value is £2,650. With 0% duty on diamond powder, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £2,650, or £530. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Size: check particle size distribution against the grade, with a laser or sieve report for the lot.

Quality: check shape and surface under a microscope, and ask for a strength test result.

Packing: check carat weight, sealed bottles or bags and lot labels.

What goes wrong

Diamond powder orders fail on sizing. Oversize particles scratch polished surfaces, the size range is wider than the grade, weak or flat crystals break down early in tools, and lots differ from the sample.

Test samples before shipping. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources diamond powder and gemstone dust for UK tool makers, lapidaries and polishing buyers, checking the producer's grading first. See factory verification.

Related guides: Steel shot, grit and iron powder from China.