Sourcing leather snooker table pockets from China
Leather snooker table pockets entered under heading 4205 carry a flat 2% UK duty from China, with no recorded trade remedies. Confirm the leather species and tanning treatment before ordering, because the tariff attaches animal-material controls. Cambridge China Bridge sources leather snooker table pockets.
A flat 2%, with material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 4205 covers other articles of leather or composition leather. Its supplied lines all carry 2% duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. For separate pocket leatherwork, confirm whether 4205 00 90 00 applies. The table shows product variants against this candidate line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, seal-product and torture-goods import controls. Listed endangered-species leather needs the applicable CITES documents. Imports of cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products for sale in Great Britain require the indigenous-community exemption and a seal catch certificate. The torture-goods ban concerns listed equipment; ask your broker to confirm the declaration requirements for pocket leatherwork.
The tariff also attaches veterinary control. APHA distinguishes tanning from other preservation treatments and exempts the specified treated hides and skins from veterinary checks. Obtain the species and tanning details, then ask your broker to confirm the requirement for finished pockets from China. Confirm the commodity code, especially where nets or metal frames are included. See the wider leather-goods guide for other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather corner-pocket bodies, subject to classification confirmation | 4205 00 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the pocket against the table fittings
Send the factory a drawing and a physical reference pocket. Separate corner and side patterns. Specify the leather thickness, stiffness, mouth profile, hanging depth, seam position and fixing-hole locations. State whether the order includes nets, attachment straps, metal frames or leatherwork alone. Trial-fit the sample to the intended table and check that balls enter and can be retrieved without catching.
Name the animal species, leather construction, tanning treatment, colour and finish. Agree whether grain leather, split leather or composition leather is acceptable, and describe the material accurately. Ask HSE to confirm applicable UK REACH restrictions on chromium VI, azo dyes and dimethylfumarate for the leather and its intended skin contact. Ask for chemical reports matching the supplied leather and colour through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 300 replacement leather snooker table pockets, illustrative only under 4205 00 90 00, invoiced at £3,450 free on board, with £420 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,870. Duty at 2% is £77.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,947.40, so it is £789.48. Import taxes total £866.88; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £77.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare corner and side patterns with the approved sample; check fixing holes, mouth shape and hanging depth on the intended fittings.
Leather: inspect the cut edge and reverse, measure thickness against the drawing, flex the material and check for cracking or colour transfer.
Stitching and attachments: pull seams and net attachments using an agreed test; look for skipped stitches, tearing around holes and exposed sharp edges.
Arrival condition: open cartons and check for mould, damp leather, persistent solvent odour, crushed pocket mouths and rust on supplied metalwork.
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What goes wrong
A pocket can match the photograph yet fail to fit: the mouth profile differs, the fixing holes sit incorrectly or stiff leather fouls the ball path. Loose stitching and weak net attachments can fail during use. Approve a fitted sample and written inspection criteria before production; use quality inspection to check the batch against them.
Material substitution can change both appearance and performance. A coated surface may hide composition leather, while dye can rub onto balls or hands. Damp packing can leave mould and distorted shapes. Keep the approved material sample and require the supplier to identify any proposed change before making the batch.
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 leather snooker table pockets from China?
The supplied heading 4205 lines carry 2% duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for the actual pocket construction.
Do finished leather pockets need veterinary documents?
The tariff attaches veterinary control. APHA distinguishes tanned material from other treatments. Give your broker the species and tanning details to confirm the requirement for finished pockets.
Will replacement leather pockets fit my snooker table?
Confirm corner and side patterns, mouth profile, fixing holes and hanging depth against the existing fittings. Trial-fit a sample before approving production.
What leather tests should I ask the factory for?
Ask for reports matching the leather and colour, covering applicable UK REACH restrictions. Check thickness, flexing, colour transfer, seam strength and attachment security against the approved sample.