Sourcing glass paperweights from China
Glass paperweights from China carry 10% UK duty across the relevant lines, so there is no variation in the duty range shown here. Businesses importing or selling consumer paperweights are responsible for their safety. Specify glass composition, base finish and packing before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources glass paperweights.
UK duty on glass paperweights
Heading 7013 covers glassware for table, kitchen, toilet, office, indoor decoration or similar purposes. For glass paperweights, the relevant other-glassware lines distinguish lead crystal from other glass and hand-gathered production from other production. See the glass flower vase guide for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all paperweight lines shown carry 10% ordinary duty for goods from China. The supplied records list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for these lines. The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls and a DCMS Export Licence measure. Confirm the fur-control requirement with your customs broker, particularly for added trim; ask separately about the export measures before exporting.
Ask the factory to identify the glass composition and production method rather than relying on the description ‘crystal’. Confirm the commodity code against the actual goods before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-gathered lead crystal paperweights | 7013 91 10 00 | 10% | None |
| Mechanically gathered lead crystal paperweights | 7013 91 90 00 | 10% | None |
| Hand-gathered paperweights of other glass | 7013 99 00 10 | 10% | None |
| Other glass paperweights | 7013 99 00 90 | 10% | None |
Specify the glass, base and decoration
Record shape, dimensions, weight, glass composition, colour and the position of internal decoration. Agree which bubbles and variations are intentional and which count as defects. Keep an approved sample and photographs under agreed lighting so the factory and inspector judge clarity and colour consistently.
Specify a flat, polished base, smooth edges and any protective pad. For engraved or printed paperweights, approve the artwork, orientation and viewing position through the glass. Agree individual cushioning and carton dividers, then assess packed samples for movement and damage.
Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. For paperweights, assess sharp edges, breakage and whether curved glass concentrates sunlight onto nearby materials. Keep the assessment and agreed precautions with the order file.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 500 glass paperweights; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 7013 99 00 90, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,900. Duty at 10% is £290. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,190, so it is £638. Import taxes total £928; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £290 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Glass: compare colour, clarity and internal decoration with the approved sample; distinguish agreed decorative bubbles from cracks and unwanted inclusions.
Base: check flatness on a level surface, polished edges and secure protective pads; look for rocking and surfaces that scratch a desk.
Decoration: check spelling, alignment and readability through the glass; inspect engraving for chipped edges and printing for rubbing during handling.
Packing: open packed cartons before dispatch and again on arrival; check cushioning, dividers, glass contact and concealed chips. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A showroom sample can hide production variation. Bulk paperweights may have cloudy glass, misplaced inclusions, uneven bases or engraving that is difficult to read through a curved face. Define acceptable variation with photographs and check production samples before packing.
Heavy pieces can move inside loose boxes and chip each other despite intact outer cartons. Agree how the piece is restrained, check the base beneath any pad and record arrival damage before mixing the delivery into stock.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on glass paperweights from China?
The relevant lines carry 10% ordinary duty. The supplied tariff records list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for these lines.
Does calling a paperweight crystal determine its commodity code?
No. Obtain the glass composition and production method, then confirm the code for the actual goods. The relevant lines distinguish lead crystal and hand-gathered production.
What should I check when glass paperweights arrive?
Check cracks, chips, clarity, decoration and base flatness against the approved sample. Open inner packs and inspect beneath protective pads before accepting the stock.
How should glass paperweights be packed?
Agree individual cushioning, secure restraint and carton dividers. Assess packed samples and check for movement, glass contact and hidden chips after transport.