Sourcing finished fish leather from China
Finished fish leather under 4113 90 00 00 has a single UK duty rate of 2% for goods from China. Identify the fish species and check CITES paperwork before ordering; assess usable cutting area, thickness and finish against an approved sample. Cambridge China Bridge sources finished fish leather.
UK duty and controls for finished fish leather
Heading 4113 covers leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, without wool or hair, excluding leather of heading 4114. Finished fish leather falls within the supplied 'Other' line, 4113 90 00 00, subject to confirmation of the actual material and finish. The table shows product variants sharing this code. See the wider speciality-leather guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the supplied fish-leather line carries 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur imports are banned. Confirm species-specific CITES documents and the relevance of the seal-product control with your customs broker.
Give your broker the species name, tanning and finishing description, photographs and intended use. Check the proposed classification through finding your commodity code. Ask the broker to confirm the declaration treatment of each attached control before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished salmon leather | 4113 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify species, cutting area and finish
Record the common and scientific species names, skin origin and processing factory. Specify tanning method, thickness range, colour, surface coating, softness, backing and whether the scale pattern remains visible. Agree acceptable holes, scars, edge damage and colour variation against physical samples.
Use your cutting templates to agree usable area rather than accepting total skin area alone. Trial cutting, stitching, folding and bonding with your intended lining. Keep an approved sample showing the finish and an agreed example of unacceptable damage.
REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances. Ask a laboratory to assess the proposed leather, dyes and finish for the intended use, especially skin contact. Arrange relevant checks through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative compact trial lot of finished fish skins for a leatherwork business under 4113 90 00 00, invoiced at £2,026 free on board, with £29 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,055. Duty at 2% is £41.10. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,096.10, so it is £419.22. Import taxes total £460.32; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £41.10 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the species declaration, batch records and packing list to the ordered material; resolve unidentified or substituted skins before accepting them.
Cutting yield: place your templates on sampled skins and check usable width, holes, scars and damaged edges against the agreement.
Finish: compare colour, gloss and scale pattern with the approved sample; rub with dry and damp cloths and flex the surface to check transfer, cracking and peeling.
Arrival condition: open packs to check dampness, mould, odour, sticking surfaces and crushed folds; photograph defects and retain batch identification.
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What goes wrong
A shipment can match the ordered skin count yet provide too little usable material. Narrow skins, holes and edge damage can prevent your templates fitting. A thick coating may also hide the scale pattern or crack when folded. Agree cutting yield and finish acceptance before production.
A generic 'fish leather' invoice leaves species checks unresolved. CITES guidance requires permits for species listed in the relevant annexes; have your broker confirm the precise paperwork for the identified species and shipment from China. Keep the species records separate from appearance approval.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on finished fish leather from China?
The supplied line 4113 90 00 00 carries 2% duty. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for that line. Confirm the classification of your actual leather.
Does finished fish leather need CITES paperwork?
Check the exact species. The tariff attaches a CITES control, and official guidance requires permits for listed species. Ask your broker to confirm the documents for the identified species and route.
How do I specify fish leather for cutting?
Supply cutting templates and agree usable area, thickness, backing and acceptable holes or edge damage. Test stitching and folding on the approved sample before buying the batch.
What should I check when fish leather arrives?
Check batch identity, usable cutting area, colour transfer and coating flexibility. Open the packaging and look for dampness, mould, sticking surfaces and fold damage.