Sourcing gold rods from China

Gold rod duty and VAT

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, heading 7108 covers gold, including gold plated with platinum, in unwrought, semi-manufactured or powder form. Semi-manufactured rods fall within 7108 13 10 00. The table shows rod variants sharing that commodity line. See the wider gold guide for other forms.

The supplied tariff snapshot records 0% duty for gold rods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached control on the rod line. It attaches waste controls to gold powder. Waste under notification controls cannot move until the relevant authorities consent; confirm any proposed waste shipment from China with your customs broker.

Non-investment gold attracts 20% import VAT. Confirm with HMRC whether the product qualifies for investment gold exemption and whether an option to tax applies. Do not assume a rod qualifies because it is pure gold. Confirm its form and processing history using finding your commodity code, and check the calculation in UK import duty and VAT.

Specify fineness, rod geometry and temper

State the gold fineness, alloy composition, manufacturing method and intended fabrication process. Specify cross-section, diameter or width, length, straightness, dimensional tolerances, temper and surface finish. Agree whether cut ends need deburring and whether marks from drawing or rolling are acceptable.

Ask for an assay certificate linked to the supplied batch, the refiner's identity and records tracing the metal through manufacture. Agree sealed packing, individual identification where practical, and how net metal weight will be recorded. Use factory verification to check who actually refines and forms the rods.

For UK resale, ask your accountant whether the compulsory special accounting scheme for gold applies to your transaction.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 kg of non-investment gold rods for workshop fabrication under 7108 13 10 00, invoiced at £120,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £121,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £121,500, so it is £24,300. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Documents: match the assay certificate, batch identification, refiner and provenance records to the rods and order.

Metal: arrange independent fineness testing; use fire assay where appropriate rather than relying solely on surface screening.

Geometry: check cross-section, length, straightness, cut ends and surface condition against the agreed drawing; trial the rod in the intended forming process.

Weight and packing: weigh the unpacked metal on calibrated scales under supervision, reconcile net weight with the documents, and inspect seals before acceptance. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A rod can match the ordered diameter yet be too hard for forming, bowed along its length or damaged at the cut ends. Surface screening alone may miss a different core composition. Keep batches separate until the assay, dimensions and net weight have been accepted.

A supplier may describe fabrication stock as investment gold without establishing the required form and weight. Provenance also matters: Russian gold import restrictions can apply despite shipment from China. Obtain the metal's origin records and have your broker resolve sanctions concerns before ordering.

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.