Diamond powder and gemstone dust from China
Dust and powder of natural or synthetic precious or semi-precious stones from China, including diamond micron powder and mesh grit for polishing, lapping, saws and grinding wheels, and other gemstone powders, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 7105, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers check size distribution, crystal shape, strength and purity against the grade.
Synthetic and natural diamond powder, micron powder and other precious stone dust from China pay 0% UK duty. Grit size, strength and purity checks explained.
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.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust and powder of diamonds | 7105 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other precious or semi-precious stone dust and powder | 7105 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on diamond powder from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, dust and powder of diamonds under 7105 10 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is diamond powder in a wheel classified under 7105?
No. Bonded diamond tools are classified with the tool.
What decides diamond powder grade?
Size distribution, crystal shape, strength and purity.
What fails most often?
Oversize particles and a size range wider than the grade.