Sourcing grandfather clocks from China
Grandfather clocks from China carry UK duty of 2% to 4%: purely mechanical models pay 2%, electrically operated models 4%. UK importers are responsible for consumer product safety. Specify the movement, cabinet stability and transport restraints before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources grandfather clocks.
Grandfather clock duty: 2% or 4%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9105 covers other clocks. Grandfather clocks fall within its other-clock branches: electrically operated models, including battery quartz, carry 4% duty from China; purely mechanical models carry 2%. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table separates product variants sharing these codes.
The tariff attaches a CITES import control. CITES-listed materials can require permits, and country-specific import restrictions need checking. Ask for the cabinet timber species and have your customs broker confirm the requirement for the actual materials from China before ordering. The tariff also lists CITES export control and a cultural-object export licence measure; these are export entries.
Confirm the complete clock's movement and construction through finding your commodity code. Separately supplied movements need their own classification. For the wider heading, see mantel clocks from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery quartz grandfather clocks | 9105 91 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Weight-driven mechanical grandfather clocks | 9105 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the movement and longcase cabinet
Specify a working mechanical pendulum or a decorative pendulum with a quartz movement. Record the movement maker and model, winding method, agreed timekeeping tolerance, chime tune, volume adjustment and night silencing. Agree cabinet dimensions, timber species, solid timber or veneered panels, finish sample, glass type and access for servicing.
UK businesses importing consumer products are responsible for their safety. Include cabinet stability and any securing arrangement in the sample review. For mains-powered clocks, agree electrical safety evidence for review; confirm with the relevant authority whether electrically operated clocks bring waste electrical equipment obligations and whether supplied batteries bring battery producer obligations. Agree English setup instructions covering levelling, pendulum fitting, weight placement and removal of transport restraints.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A small showroom batch of mechanical grandfather clocks, illustrative only under 9105 99 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,000. Duty at 2% is £560. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £28,560, so it is £5,712. Import taxes total £6,272; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £560 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Movement: run the assembled clock against a reference time source; check hand clearance, winding, pendulum clearance, chime timing and silencing against the approved sample.
Cabinet: check rocking, levelling feet, door alignment, hinges, locks and glass retention; inspect veneer edges, joints and finish under consistent lighting.
Setup: follow the supplied instructions from unpacking to operation; check weight identification, pendulum attachment and any agreed securing hardware.
Packing: restrain or separately protect weights and pendulum, cushion glass and cabinet corners, and check for loose hardware, moisture damage and movement after a trial unpacking.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A decorative swinging pendulum can be mistaken for a mechanical movement. An unlevel case can interrupt a mechanical clock's beat; incorrect weight placement can stop the chime. Specify the operating system clearly and approve a sample after following the customer's setup instructions.
Loose weights can damage glass and cabinet panels during transport. Cabinet distortion can leave doors rubbing or prevent the clock standing steadily. Photograph packing restraints before shipment and inspect the assembled clock after unpacking, rather than accepting an intact carton as proof of condition.
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 grandfather clocks from China?
Purely mechanical grandfather clocks carry 2% duty; electrically operated models, including battery quartz, carry 4%. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does a battery grandfather clock count as electrically operated?
Yes. A battery quartz movement is electrically operated, even where the cabinet contains a decorative pendulum or imitation weights.
Can a wooden grandfather clock need CITES documents?
CITES-listed materials can require permits. Obtain the timber species and ask your customs broker to confirm the documents and any import restrictions for the materials from China.
How should grandfather clock weights be packed?
Agree restraints or separate protective packing for weights and the pendulum. Check that they cannot strike the glass or cabinet, and trial the unpacking and setup instructions before bulk shipment.