Sourcing dry-erase scoreboards from China

Duty on dry-erase scoreboards

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9610 covers slates and boards with writing or drawing surfaces, whether or not framed. The supplied tariff record contains a single commodity line, 9610 00 00 00, covering non-electronic dry-erase scoreboards.

The duty for goods from China is 2%. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control. This guide covers manually written scoreboards; have electronic versions classified separately.

Confirm the commodity code against the finished product, including any supplied accessories. For the wider writing-board family used in sport, see sports coaching tactics boards.

Specify score fields and the writable surface

Specify the sport, team-name fields, score boxes, period or set fields, overall size and intended viewing distance. Approve artwork showing which markings are permanent and which areas remain writable. Ask for a finished sample with the actual surface, print, frame, marker holder and mounting arrangement.

Name the surface material rather than accepting a description such as magnetic whiteboard. For magnetic versions, approve the magnets with the finished board. Agree the markers, cleaning method and how long writing remains before erasure during acceptance checks. For outdoor use, agree separate checks for glare, moisture and print durability.

Consumer scoreboards supplied in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Include smooth frame edges, secure fittings and stable supports in the purchasing specification. Agree practical checks with your testing and certification provider.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 dry-erase scoreboards, illustrative order under 9610 00 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,000. Duty at 2% is £540. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,540, so it is £5,508. Import taxes total £6,048; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £540 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Writing and erasure: write across score boxes and team-name fields with the intended markers, leave the ink for the agreed period, then erase and inspect for staining, smearing and ghosting.

Artwork and visibility: compare wording, score layout, colours and branding with the approved artwork. Read a completed score from the intended viewing position and check that cleaning does not remove permanent markings.

Frame and fittings: inspect corners, joints, hanging points, handles and marker holders. Check that fittings stay secure during handling and that any supplied stand holds the board steadily.

Arrival condition: unpack sampled cartons and check for bowed panels, dented frames, scratched faces, missing accessories and protective film trapped under fittings. Compare findings with the agreed inspection checklist.

What goes wrong

A sample can erase cleanly while production boards retain ink because the surface or coating has changed. Printed score lines may also wipe away if they are applied over the writing surface without adequate protection. Keep an approved finished sample and repeat writing, dwell and cleaning checks on production goods.

Score boxes can be too small to read during play, reflective surfaces can hide the score, and bowed panels can make writing awkward. Loose frame corners and weak carton protection cause further problems in transit. Approve the layout at the intended viewing distance and the packing with the actual accessories included.

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.