Sourcing finished crocodile leather from China

UK duty and CITES controls

Heading 4113 covers leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, without wool or hair, whether or not split, excluding leather of heading 4114. Finished crocodile leather falls within the reptile line. The table shows buying variants of the same commodity line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the duty for the reptile line from China is 2%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. It attaches CITES import and export controls. For a Great Britain shipment, confirm the species listing, obtain the relevant UK permit and contact the Chinese management authority for the corresponding export permit.

Confirm the processing stage and exact goods with your customs broker using finding your commodity code. For other animal leathers in this heading, see finished speciality leather.

Specify species, cut and usable belly area

Ask for the scientific species name, animal origin, source records and tannery identity. Specify belly or hornback cut, the method for measuring usable width, thickness, colour, gloss and softness. Mark acceptable scars and holes on photographs. Approve a physical sample and test whether your cutting patterns fit the usable areas.

Before applying for a permit, check both tabs of the official CITES import-restrictions list against the specimen and its origin. Dispatch from China does not establish the animal's origin. REACH restrictions can limit chemicals in articles; ask a laboratory to assess suitable checks for the tanning chemistry, dyes and intended use through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A small batch of finished crocodile skins shipped with consolidated cargo; illustrative order and values under 4113 30 00 00, invoiced at £4,113 free on board, with £30 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,143. Duty at 2% is £82.86. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,225.86, so it is £845.17. Import taxes total £928.03; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £82.86 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match species, skin identifiers, quantities and origin records to the shipment documents; photograph attached tags before handling.

Cutting yield: measure usable belly width and thickness; place your cutting patterns around scars, holes and damaged scale edges.

Finish: compare colour and gloss with the approved sample; check rubbing, flexing, coating cracks and tackiness using agreed methods.

Packing: check for dampness, mould, creases and abrasion; keep skins identifiable during unpacking. Brief the inspector through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A quoted skin width can include areas your cutting patterns cannot use. Heavy coating can conceal scars until the leather bends. Agree usable-area measurements and defect photographs before production, then assess the delivered skins against those records.

A permit does not remove the designated-port requirement. Border Force can seize specimens routed through an undesignated port even when a valid permit is held. Agree the route with your handling agent before dispatch and keep permit checks separate from approval of the leather's appearance.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.