Sourcing gemstone drawer knobs from China

2% duty for qualifying gemstone knobs

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 7116 covers articles of natural or cultured pearls and natural, synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious stones. The relevant candidate for gemstone drawer knobs is 7116 20 80 00, other stone articles. The table shows product variants sharing that code, rather than separate tariff lines. See the wider gemstone articles guide.

The supplied tariff record gives 2% duty for this line on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. It attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation referring to Russia sanctions. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement for the actual goods and their origin. UK guidance also prohibits importing goods originating in non-government controlled Ukrainian territory; dispatch from China does not establish origin.

Give your broker the stone identity, natural or reconstructed status, photographs and details of the metal base, insert and supplied screw. Confirm the complete fitting's commodity code before ordering rather than classifying it from the stone alone.

Specify the stone and its attachment

Specify the stone species, whether natural, synthetic or reconstructed, and any dye, coating or resin filling. Approve a sample range showing acceptable colour, banding, inclusions and shape variation. State knob dimensions, projection, gripping surfaces and whether exposed crystal points should be rounded.

Define the base metal and finish, insert thread, screw length for the intended drawer thickness, and the attachment method between stone and base. Agree an assembly and pull-check method using the actual drawer material. Specify individual cushioning that keeps stones and loose screws apart.

For consumer sales in Great Britain, general product safety rules require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess sharp edges, stone breakage and detachment during pulling. Keep sample approval records, material declarations and the results of your agreed checks.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 gemstone drawer knobs, illustrative order only under 7116 20 80 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £150 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,650. Duty at 2% is £33. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,683, so it is £336.60. Import taxes total £369.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £33 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Stone identity and appearance: compare delivered knobs with the approved material declaration and sample range; check colour, banding, coatings, chips and cracks.

Mounting: check insert alignment, thread engagement and screw fit on the intended drawer; look for spinning inserts, loose bases and exposed adhesive.

Strength and edges: carry out the agreed pull and twist checks; examine the stone and bond afterwards for movement, cracking and sharp fragments.

Packing: check individual protection, separated screws, matched sets and batch references; inspect cartons for damage before releasing stock.

What goes wrong

An attractive stone sample can hide a weak fitting. Inserts spin, adhesive joints separate, screws bottom out before the knob clamps, or tightening cracks the stone. Test the assembled knob on the intended drawer before approving production.

Natural variation can also produce visibly mismatched sets, while poorly protected points chip in transit. Agree the acceptable variation with photographs and inspect against that range. Use the quality inspection guide to turn the approved sample into written checks.

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.