Sourcing draughts sets from China
Draughts sets from China fall within other table and parlour games, with 0% UK duty on the relevant line. For sets designed or intended for children under 14, confirm with Trading Standards whether toy safety requirements apply before sale in Great Britain. Specify the playing format, board and counters together. Cambridge China Bridge sources draughts sets.
UK duty on draughts sets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9504 covers table and parlour games alongside other gaming equipment. Draughts sets fit the other-games line, 9504 90 80 00, carrying 0% duty for goods from China. The recorded heading-wide range is 0% to 2%, but the higher rate is for playing cards. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for the draughts line. The table shows product variants sharing that line.
The tariff attaches ivory and CITES import controls to this line. For any ivory component, confirm exemption eligibility and the tariff's registration or exemption-certificate reference requirement with your customs broker before ordering. Listed ivory needs registration or an exemption application for sale. For a CITES-listed material moving from China into Great Britain, obtain the required permit and the corresponding Chinese export permission. The tariff also records export controls and a cultural-goods export licence measure; check these before onward export.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual set and materials before shipment. The chess sets guide provides wider heading context. Specify ivory-free materials and identify any unusual wood species rather than accepting a supplier's description of luxury material.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden draughts sets | 9504 90 80 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the draughts format, board and counters
Name the intended draughts variant and supply a drawing showing the square layout, playing area and counter dimensions. State the counter count and colour split, whether counters must stack for kings, and the board material, finish and folding construction. Approve the counters on the actual board, including storage fit, rather than approving separate photographs.
For sets designed or intended for play by children under 14, confirm with Trading Standards whether toy safety rules apply. For toys on the Great Britain market, importers must check the manufacturer's conformity assessment and provide their name and postal address on the toy, with permitted alternatives where direct marking is impractical. Agree the document and labelling plan before production. Consumer sets must also be safe to use. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual materials and intended users.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 boxed draughts sets, illustrative order only under 9504 90 80 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,300, so it is £460. 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
Board: check flatness, square alignment, colour contrast, folding joints and whether the board lies flat when opened.
Counters: check count and colour split against the specification, consistent dimensions, stacking stability, smooth edges and any loose inserts.
Finish: compare colours and surface finish with the approved sample; check for splinters, sharp moulding seams and paint transfer during handling.
Packing and documents: open packed sets, check storage fit and carton condition, and match the supplied safety documents and agreed labels to the delivered model.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Counters can arrive too wide for the squares, fail to stack securely or vary in colour between bags. Folding boards can rock on their hinges, while printed surfaces can split at the fold. Missing counters and poorly fitted storage trays make otherwise usable sets incomplete. Keep an assembled approval sample and inspect complete packed sets.
A report for a different counter material or board finish does not show what was supplied. Compare the report's product description with the order and delivered goods, and resolve substitutions before shipment. Use the quality inspection guide to agree checks and defect handling.
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 draughts sets from China?
The recorded rate is 0% under 9504 90 80 00, read on 29 September 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for that line.
Are children's draughts sets treated as toys?
Plan toy-safety checks, conformity assessment documents and importer labelling before sale in Great Britain.
What should I specify for wooden draughts sets?
Specify the draughts variant, board layout, wood species, finish, counter dimensions and count, stacking method and storage. Approve a complete assembled sample.
How do I check a folding draughts set on arrival?
Open the board on a flat surface, check the fold and printed squares, count both colours of counters, test stacking and close the set with all components stored inside.