Sourcing nurses' fob watches from China
Nurses' fob watches from China under heading 9102 carry £0.20 duty per watch for both electric and non-electric models, rather than a percentage range. Importers must demonstrate product safety before sale, including control of accessible battery risks. Cambridge China Bridge sources nurses' fob watches.
£0.20 per nurses' fob watch
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9102 covers watches outside heading 9101. For nurses' fob watches with non-precious cases, the relevant lines are other electrically operated watches and other non-electric watches. Both carry £0.20 duty per watch from China. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The tariff attaches an import CITES control. If a leather holder contains material from a CITES-listed species, confirm the applicable documents with your customs broker: official guidance requires permit arrangements for moving listed specimens into Great Britain and corresponding documentation from the exporting country. The facts also list CITES export controls and a DCMS export licence measure.
Confirm the movement, case material and wearing arrangement when checking the commodity code. A clothing-mounted fob watch should not be described as a wristwatch merely because its movement is also used in wristwatches. See pocket watches for the wider product family.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrically operated nurses' fob watches, including quartz models | 9102 91 00 00 | £0.20 per item | None |
| Non-electric nurses' fob watches, including mechanical models | 9102 99 00 00 | £0.20 per item | None |
Specify the dial, clip and removable holder
Specify the movement manufacturer and model, analogue or digital display, seconds indication, dial orientation when hanging from clothing, case material, lens, crown position and battery type. Approve the numeral contrast and hand visibility on a sample worn in its intended position. Agree pin, clasp or clip construction and whether the watch can be removed from its holder.
Agree cleaning instructions and test the sample with the cleaning products your customer intends to use. Check whether the silicone holder stretches, cracks, becomes sticky or transfers colour, and whether dial printing remains legible. Treat splash resistance and immersion resistance as separate specifications. Do not accept a waterproof description without supporting tests.
Importers must demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements before sale. For quartz models, obtain evidence covering the electrical equipment's restricted substances compliance. Specify a securely closed battery compartment and clear battery warnings. Where metal parts have direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm with the relevant authority whether the UK REACH nickel restriction applies; agree suitable testing with testing and certification support.
Inspection checklist
Movement and dial: run samples against a reference clock, check seconds indication, hand clearance, crown operation and readability while the watch hangs from clothing.
Attachment: open and close clips and pin guards repeatedly, pull-test the holder and attachment, and check for exposed points, loose pins and sharp edges.
Cleaning and finish: compare colours with the approved sample, remove and refit the watch, and inspect the holder, plating and dial after the agreed cleaning trial.
Battery and packing: check battery type, running condition, secure case-back closure, battery warnings and protection of the lens and fastening during transport.
What goes wrong
A dial can look correct on a desk yet face the wrong way when clipped to a uniform. Weak clips detach, pin guards open, silicone holders tear at the neck, and replacement movements can leave hands rubbing against the lens. Cleaning fluids may damage printing or make the holder sticky.
Keep an approved sample showing the hanging orientation, attachment and movement. Require approval before material or movement substitutions, repeat the cleaning trial on production samples, and check running watches after arrival. A secure battery compartment should remain secure after handling and attachment tests.
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 nurses' fob watches from China?
The supplied tariff facts show £0.20 per watch for both electrically operated and non-electric fob watches under heading 9102, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers quartz nurses' fob watches?
For a non-precious-case clothing-mounted watch, check 9102 91 00 00, covering other electrically operated watches. Confirm the complete product and wearing arrangement before declaring it.
What should I specify for a silicone nurses' watch?
Specify the movement, hanging dial orientation, seconds indication, removable holder, clip or guarded pin, battery access and cleaning method. Approve a sample worn on clothing.
How should I check button-battery safety?
Check that the compartment fastens securely and cannot open inadvertently. Official guidance recommends clear battery warnings on the product, packaging and instructions.