Sourcing Mahjong sets from China
Mahjong tile sets provisionally fall under 9504 90 80 00, carrying 0% UK duty from China; the wider heading ranges from 0% to 2%. Consumer sets must be safe; for games intended for children, confirm whether toy rules apply with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources Mahjong sets.
UK duty and material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9504 covered table and parlour games alongside other games equipment. The relevant candidate for ordinary Mahjong tile sets is 9504 90 80 00, at 0% for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is listed for that line. The table shows Mahjong variants sharing this candidate code, rather than separate tariff classifications.
The tariff attaches ivory import and CITES controls to this line. Its ivory note requires a valid registration number or exemption certificate reference for commercial imports containing ivory. Check exemption eligibility before considering such goods. CITES specimens require an import permit into Great Britain. For any animal-derived material supplied from China, confirm the species and applicable documents with your customs broker before ordering. Specify synthetic tiles without ivory.
Confirm the commodity code against the complete set, its materials and accessories. This guide concerns manually played tile sets; automatic tables need separate assessment. See the chess sets guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahjong tile sets with carrying cases | 9504 90 80 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the Mahjong variant and tile construction
Name the intended rules variant and supply a component schedule showing every tile face, duplicates, optional tiles, blanks and accessories. Specify tile dimensions, weight, material, face engraving, paint colours, back colour and finish. Approve a complete sample set rather than loose sample tiles. State whether racks, dice, scoring pieces, instructions and a carrying case are included.
For consumer sets sold in Great Britain, general product safety rules require safe products. For games designed or intended for children's play, confirm whether toy rules apply with the relevant authority. Settle the intended audience before production and plan the appropriate testing and warnings through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small batch of travel Mahjong sets under 9504 90 80 00, invoiced at £500 free on board, with £50 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £550. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £550, so it is £110. 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
Contents: lay out a complete set against the approved component schedule, checking repeated symbols, missing tiles, blanks and accessories.
Tiles: compare dimensions, weight, edge finish and back colour across the sample; look for cracks, sharp edges, uneven bases and distinguishable backs.
Faces: compare engraving and colours with approved artwork, rub the markings and check that symbols remain legible.
Case and packing: check tray fit, hinges, catches and handles; inspect delivered cartons for crushed corners and loose tiles. Retain photographs and samples using the quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
A set can look complete while containing the wrong symbols or accessories for the buyer's rules variant. Uneven tile backs can identify pieces during play, paint can rub away, and poorly fitting trays let tiles collide in transit. Make the approved full set and component schedule part of the order, then inspect packed production sets before dispatch.
Do not accept an unspecified material described only as traditional or ivory coloured. Ask for the actual composition and prohibit unapproved substitutions. Where ivory or protected-species material is proposed, resolve the tariff controls and import documents before committing to the order.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on Mahjong sets from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 0% for 9504 90 80 00, the candidate code for ordinary Mahjong tile sets. Confirm the complete product's classification before importing.
Are Mahjong sets covered by toy rules?
For games designed or intended for children's play, confirm whether toy rules apply with the relevant authority. Decide the intended audience before agreeing testing, warnings and packaging.
Can I import ivory Mahjong sets from China?
Do not order without checking eligibility. The tariff attaches ivory and CITES controls; commercial ivory imports need the stated exemption documentation, and CITES specimens need an import permit.
What should I check when Mahjong sets arrive?
Check every tile against the component schedule, compare backs and dimensions, inspect markings and edges, and check the case, trays and accessories for damage or omissions.