Sourcing metal memorial plaques from China

Duty and classification for memorial plaques

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 8310 covers sign-plates, nameplates and similar plates, numbers, letters and other symbols of base metal, excluding articles of heading 9405. This guide concerns non-illuminated metal memorial inscription plaques. The table shows product variants sharing the supplied commodity line, rather than separate tariff lines.

The supplied record gives 0% duty for goods from China under 8310 00 00 00. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is separate from customs duty; see the import duty and VAT guide.

Send photographs, material details, inscription artwork and details of any supplied mounting assembly to your customs broker to confirm the commodity code. For other products within this heading, see the metal nameplates and sign plates guide.

Specify the inscription, metal and mounting

Specify brass, bronze, stainless steel or aluminium, including the metal grade, thickness, dimensions, edge profile and finish. State whether lettering is cast, etched, engraved or printed, and agree its depth or relief, fill colour, typeface and spacing. Approve the complete inscription artwork, including names, dates, punctuation and symbols, before production.

Describe the exposure and mounting surface, such as a sheltered wall, outdoor bench or stone memorial. Agree fixing holes, studs or adhesive backing against that surface and approve a fitted sample. Specify the intended appearance after weathering, especially for bronze and brass. Businesses importing or selling consumer plaques in the UK are responsible for their safety; include edge and fixing checks in sample approval.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 small aluminium memorial plaques for a memorial supplier; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 8310 00 00 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,600, so it is £1,520. 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

Inscription: compare every personalised plaque with its approved artwork and order identifier; check spelling, dates, line breaks, symbols and lettering contrast.

Metal and finish: compare material records with the specification; measure thickness and dimensions, inspect flatness and deburred edges, and check for scratches, uneven patina or missing colour fill.

Fixings: measure hole and stud positions against the drawing; trial-fit plaques to the intended surface and check supplied fasteners or adhesive backing against the approved arrangement.

Durability and packing: review the agreed corrosion and marking tests; check colour fill and coating adhesion, and keep plaque faces separated and protected during transit. Arrange a quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A correctly made plaque can still be unusable because a name is misspelt, a date is transposed or the wrong artwork is assigned to an order. Keep a separate approval record for each personalised design and match that record to the packed plaque. Check the inscription again on arrival before installation.

Unagreed patina, fading colour fill, thin metal or misplaced mounting holes can cause rejection. An adhesive that holds on a smooth sample may perform differently on rough stone or a painted bench. Approve the plaque with its intended mounting arrangement and record the finish and durability checks before ordering.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.