Sourcing glass snow globes from China
Glass snow globes classified as decorative glassware under heading 7013 carry 10% UK duty from China across the relevant lines. Consumer product safety duties apply; versions supplied as toys must meet toy safety requirements. Specify the liquid, seal and packing before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources glass snow globes.
UK duty on decorative glass snow globes
Heading 7013 covers glassware for indoor decoration and similar uses. The table shows possible decorative-glassware lines for glass snow globes, distinguished by glass composition and manufacturing method. Confirm the classification of the complete globe, including its base and any mechanism, rather than choosing a code from the glass dome alone.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all the selected lines carried 10% ordinary duty for goods from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions on these lines. The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls: products containing that fur are banned. It also lists a DCMS export licence control; confirm any requirement for onward export with your customs broker.
Send the broker photographs, material details, manufacturing method and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For the wider buying category, see toys and gifts.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other decorative glassware, other than hand-gathered | 7013 99 00 90 | 10% | None |
| Hand-gathered decorative glassware, other than lead crystal | 7013 99 00 10 | 10% | None |
| Mechanically gathered lead-crystal decorative glassware | 7013 91 90 00 | 10% | None |
| Hand-gathered lead-crystal decorative glassware | 7013 91 10 00 | 10% | None |
Specify the dome, liquid and seal
This guide focuses on decorative glass snow globes without electrical features. Specify dome dimensions, glass clarity, base material and finish, scene position, artwork, liquid composition, glitter material and the approved air-bubble appearance. Ask the factory to identify liquid ingredients and agree checks for leakage, clouding and compatibility with painted figures.
Approve a finished sample with the intended seal, adhesive and packaging. Agree how samples will be checked after temperature changes and packed transport handling. General product safety duties apply to consumer goods in Great Britain. If the globe is supplied as a toy, it must meet the essential toy safety requirements before being placed on the Great Britain market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 glass snow globes, illustrative order 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 and scene: check cracks, chips, scratches, optical distortion, figure attachment and artwork against the approved sample.
Liquid and glitter: compare clarity, colour, fill level and air bubble; shake samples and check that glitter moves freely without persistent clumps.
Seal and base: inspect the joint for seepage, check base stability and examine the finish for swelling, lifting paint or adhesive marks.
Packing: open packed cartons and check separation, cushioning and movement inside each box; repeat these checks on arrival and record wet boxes or broken globes.
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What goes wrong
A leaking seal can leave a globe partly empty and damage its box. Loose figures, cloudy liquid, clumped glitter and inconsistent air bubbles can make the delivered batch differ from the approved sample. Keep defect photographs and compare affected goods with retained samples before agreeing corrective work.
Do not treat a gift description as the safety assessment. Review foreseeable handling, broken-glass exposure and access to the liquid. UK businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. Keep decorative versions and versions supplied as toys clearly identified in the buying brief.
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 snow globes from China?
The selected decorative-glassware lines under heading 7013 carry 10% duty from China, with no trade remedies or suspensions recorded in the supplied tariff facts. Confirm the code for the complete globe.
Are glass snow globes covered by toy safety rules?
If supplied as toys, they must meet essential toy safety requirements before being placed on the Great Britain market. Define the intended use in the buying brief and review it before ordering.
What should I ask about the liquid inside a snow globe?
Ask for its ingredient composition and approve clarity, colour, fill level and glitter behaviour. Agree leakage and temperature-change checks using the finished globe.
How do I check snow globes when they arrive?
Check for cracked glass, wet boxes, leaking joints, loose figures, cloudy liquid and damaged bases. Compare sampled globes and their packing with the approved sample and record defects.