Sourcing leather watch straps from China
Leather watch straps from China carry 6% UK duty, whether hand-made or otherwise, with no anti-dumping duty in the tariff snapshot. Buckles in prolonged skin contact must meet UK REACH nickel limits; CITES-listed leather needs permits. Cambridge China Bridge sources leather watch straps.
Duty and animal-material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 9113 covers watch straps, bands, bracelets and their parts. Leather and composition-leather straps from China carry 6% duty under both the hand-made and other leather lines. Neither line shows anti-dumping or countervailing duties, or a suspension. The table separates leather and composition leather within these shared codes.
Both leather lines attach CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. For CITES-listed leather, confirm the relevant import and export documentation with the wildlife authority or your customs broker. Cat and dog fur, including products made from it, cannot be imported. Seal products imported into Great Britain for trade require a seal catch certificate; ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility and documentation for any seal-derived strap from China before ordering.
Confirm material composition and manufacturing method with your customs broker using our commodity-code guide. For other materials, see watch straps and bracelets.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made leather watch straps | 9113 90 00 11 | 6% | None |
| Leather watch straps, other than hand-made | 9113 90 00 19 | 6% | None |
Specify the leather, lining and watch fit
Name the animal species and distinguish leather from composition leather. Specify the outer layer, lining, padding, lug width, buckle width, length, thickness and taper. Agree hole positions, spring bars or quick-release fittings, keeper loops, stitching, edge paint, colour and packaging against an approved sample.
For buckles in direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm applicable UK REACH nickel-release requirements with the relevant authority. Request matching nickel-release reports, chromium VI testing for leather and restricted azo-dye testing for dyed straps, as described in the wider guide. Importing Annex A CITES specimens is only permitted in exceptional circumstances, so check species eligibility before selecting exotic leather.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 leather watch straps under 9113 90 00 19, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 6% is £348. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,148, so it is £1,229.60. Import taxes total £1,577.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £348 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure lug and buckle widths, length, thickness and hole positions against the drawing; fit the strap and supplied spring bars to the intended watch case.
Leather and colour: compare the outer leather, lining, padding and shade with the approved sample; check for colour transfer using the agreed inspection method.
Construction: flex the strap and inspect stitching, edge-paint cracking, lining separation, keeper attachment and buckle action.
Documents: match material and colour references to test reports; check species declarations and any applicable CITES permits before shipping. See our inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A strap can match the colour sample yet fail on fit or construction. Wrong lug widths prevent fitting, thick ends obstruct spring bars, edge paint cracks when bent, and loose keepers let the strap tail escape. Compare finished production samples with the drawing and approved sample before release.
An embossed reptile pattern does not establish the animal species. Ask for a written material declaration rather than relying on appearance. Reports for a different lining, dye or buckle finish leave the ordered materials unchecked; keep those references consistent between the specification, sample and inspection paperwork.
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 watch straps from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 6% for hand-made and other leather or composition-leather straps, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Which commodity code covers leather watch straps?
The leather lines are 9113 90 00 11 for hand-made goods and 9113 90 00 19 for other goods. Confirm the finished strap's composition and manufacturing method with your customs broker.
Do crocodile leather watch straps need CITES permits?
For straps made from CITES-listed species, confirm the relevant import and export documentation with the wildlife authority or your customs broker. Establish the species and check eligibility before ordering; an embossed pattern alone does not identify the leather.
What tests should I request for leather watch straps?
Request chromium VI testing for leather, restricted azo-dye testing for dyed straps and nickel-release reports for buckles in prolonged skin contact. Match reports to the ordered materials and finishes.