Sourcing lampworked pendant beads from China
Lampworked glass pendant beads from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 7018 lines. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Confirm with HSE which UK REACH restrictions apply to the intended jewellery parts. Cambridge China Bridge sources lampworked glass pendant beads.
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Duty and classification for pendant beads
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7018 covers glass beads and similar smallware, articles of that smallware and lampworked glass ornaments, excluding imitation jewellery. Loose hand-made pendant beads are a starting point for checking 7018 10 19 10. The alternative rows depend on manufacture and supplied form; they are not interchangeable descriptions.
All listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. It attaches cat-and-dog-fur import and export controls to the glass-article lines, including 7018 90 10 00. Imports and exports of cat or dog fur and products made from it are banned, including supplies from China. Check any added fur decoration and ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable declaration requirement.
Confirm the commodity code using photographs, the manufacturing process and whether the goods are loose beads or finished articles. Finished jewellery made with beads is classified as imitation jewellery. For the wider heading, see our glass cabochons guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made glass beads, including loose lampworked pendant beads | 7018 10 19 10 | 0% | None |
| Other glass beads, where the hand-made description does not apply | 7018 10 19 90 | 0% | None |
| Glass beads cut and mechanically polished | 7018 10 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Articles of glass smallware, where supplied as articles rather than loose beads | 7018 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the glass, hole and pendant shape
State whether the pendant has a through-hole or an integral glass loop. Specify body dimensions, hole diameter and direction, loop opening, weight, colour reference and the position of flowers, swirls or other decoration. Agree acceptable variation against physical samples, including the appearance of the reverse and the way the bead hangs on the intended cord.
Ask the maker to identify the glass used and supply annealing records. Specify smooth hole edges, removal of bead-release residue, acceptable bubbles and the finish of any coating. Request separate protective compartments and pack counts by design so projecting loops and points do not knock against neighbouring beads.
Confirm with HSE which UK REACH lead and cadmium restrictions or exemptions apply to the glass and added metal jewellery parts. Request relevant chemistry reports for coated or painted beads and added findings. For children's bead kits, confirm with Trading Standards whether toy safety requirements apply and what safety evidence and warnings are needed. Discuss the intended product with our testing and certification service.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business order: an assortment of loose hand-made lampworked glass pendant beads under 7018 10 19 10, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,500, so it is £3,900. 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
Glass and loops: inspect under strong light for cracks, chips, sharp points and damage where a loop joins the body; compare with the approved sample.
Holes and hanging: gauge the opening, check for residue and rough edges, and thread the intended cord or fitting to confirm clearance and hanging direction.
Decoration and finish: compare colour and motif placement against approved samples; rub coated surfaces with a damp cloth and check for colour transfer.
Packing and evidence: check design counts, protective separation and arrival breakage; match chemistry reports and annealing records to the supplied glass and finishes. Use our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A bead can match the photograph but fail during assembly because its hole is blocked or its glass loop is too narrow. Rough edges can abrade the cord. Cracks around holes or loop joints, chipped points and beads rubbing together in transit can leave part of the delivery unusable.
Hand-worked colour and decoration can vary beyond the agreed sample range. A changed glass, paint or coating also means the earlier chemistry report may not describe the delivered goods. Keep approved samples for each finish and investigate mismatches before releasing 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 lampworked glass pendant beads from China?
The relevant heading 7018 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures are recorded. Confirm the code for the actual supplied form.
Which commodity code covers hand-made lampworked pendant beads?
Check 7018 10 19 10 for loose hand-made glass beads. Cut and mechanically polished beads and finished glass articles have different descriptions; finished jewellery is classified separately.
Do lampworked glass pendant beads need lead testing?
Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH lead restrictions apply to the jewellery parts and whether any crystal-glass exemption is relevant. Ask for relevant test evidence for the actual glass, paint and coating rather than relying on a report for another finish.
How do I check whether the beads will fit my cord?
Specify the hole or loop opening and test production samples with the intended cord and fitting. Check clearance, hanging direction, rough edges and bead-release residue.