Sourcing loose drilled gemstone beads from China

Loose beads and the wider duty range

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 October 2026, heading 7116 covers articles of natural or cultured pearls and natural, synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious stones. Other stone articles under 7116 20 80 00 carry 2% duty from China. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on this line. The table shows bead variants within this same commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation to the stone lines. Confirm its application to your shipment with your customs broker. Official Russia sanctions guidance says importers should check the original consignment or export location and seek a licence or contact the Import Sanctions Team if goods may originate in or have been consigned from Russia or non-government controlled Ukrainian territory.

Do not assume the 0% line for wholly natural stone necklaces and bracelets simply strung without accessories applies to loose beads. Confirm the commodity code using the material and presentation of the goods. See the wider pearl and gemstone jewellery guide for finished articles.

Specify stone identity, drilling and matching

State the stone name, whether natural, synthetic or reconstructed, and any dyeing, heating, coating or filling. Specify bead shape, dimensions and tolerances, hole diameter and direction, surface polish, acceptable inclusions and colour variation. Approve a physical sample showing the acceptable range rather than relying on a supplier's grade name.

Specify whether supply is loose in bags or temporarily threaded for handling, and agree counts and batch labels. For beads intended for consumers in Great Britain, general product safety rules require a safe product. Assess sharp chipped edges and foreseeable swallowing risks. Where reasonable, product or packaging identification must include the producer's name and address and the product reference or batch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 loose drilled natural gemstone beads under 7116 20 80 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £150 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,650. Duty at 2% is £53. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,703, so it is £540.60. Import taxes total £593.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £53 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the lot to the written stone and treatment declaration; obtain laboratory identification where the claimed material or natural colour matters.

Drilling: pass the intended thread or wire through sampled beads; check blocked holes, off-centre drilling and chipped hole mouths.

Matching: compare dimensions, shape, polish and colour against the approved sample under consistent lighting.

Packing: reconcile counts and batch labels; check bags for broken beads, loose fragments and colour transfer. Plan checks with the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A bead can match the outside dimensions yet have a hole that will not take the intended thread. Chipped hole mouths cut cord, off-centre drilling spoils alignment, and mixed colour lots make repeat designs difficult. Check actual threading and matching before accepting the shipment.

Undisclosed dyeing, filling or reconstruction can make the goods differ from the listing and approved sample. Get treatments in writing and describe the beads accordingly. Keep suspect lots separate while identity or finish is checked.

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.