Glass beads and imitation pearls from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, glass beads, imitation pearls, imitation precious or semi-precious stones and similar glass smallware, glass eyes and articles of glass smallware, and glass microspheres not exceeding 1 mm in diameter, heading 7018, carried 0% on goods from China on all thirteen lines, with no anti-dumping measure.

Finished jewellery made with the beads is classified as imitation jewellery, and metal findings are in our findings and craft components guide; confirm the commodity code from whether the beads are loose, strung for transport or made into an article.

Lead, cadmium and toy kits

Entry 63 of Annex XVII of UK REACH limits lead in the individual parts of jewellery articles, with a derogation for crystal glass, and entry 23 limits cadmium in the metal parts of jewellery; ask for test results on coated, painted or metallised beads and on any leaded crystal before selling beads for jewellery.

Bead kits for children are toys under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, so small parts warnings, migration of elements from coatings and the choking hazard of loose beads all need test evidence. Glass microspheres for road marking are bought against the road marking standard named in the contract.

Specifying beads

Beads are bought on size and tolerance, hole diameter, shape, finish (transparent, opaque, lustred, AB or metallic coated, painted), colour reference and count or weight per pack. Coated and painted finishes are where most complaints come from, so name the rub and wash performance the maker needs.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 2 tonnes of pressed glass seed and craft beads under 7018 10 90 90. At £18,000 free on board and £1,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £19,500. With 0% duty on glass beads, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £19,500, or £3,900. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Size and holes: measure bead diameter and hole size on samples from several bags with calipers and pin gauges, and check the count or weight per pack against the label.

Coatings: rub coated and metallised beads with a damp cloth and after a wash cycle to check the finish holds, and test colour against the approved sample under daylight.

Chemistry and packs: screen coated and crystal-effect beads for lead and cadmium by X-ray fluorescence and confirm by laboratory test, and for children's kits check toy test reports to BS EN 71-1 and BS EN 71-3 and the age warning.

What goes wrong

Beads fail on coatings, sizes and chemistry. Metallic and AB coatings rub off in weeks, painted beads fade or bleed, sizes and holes vary so beads will not thread on the stated wire, bags come short, and coated or crystal-effect beads contain lead above the jewellery limit.

Test coatings and lead on the first lot, gauge sizes and holes, and check pack counts before loading. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources glass beads, seed beads and imitation pearls for jewellery makers, craft brands and haberdashers, and has no minimum order of its own; the factory's minimum per colour applies. See small orders.