Sourcing paper party confetti from China
Paper party confetti entered under 9505 90 00 00 pays 2% UK duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. For sale in Great Britain, consumer confetti must be safe under reasonably foreseeable use. Specify the paper, dyes and pack contents before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources paper party confetti.
Paper confetti duty and tariff controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 9505 covers festive, carnival and other entertainment articles. For ordinary paper party confetti, confirm the suitability of the other-articles line, 9505 90 00 00. The table shows product variants using that same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes.
The supplied tariff record gives this line a 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. It attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas and cat and dog fur import controls. Cat and dog fur and products containing it cannot be imported into Great Britain. Specify paper-only contents; ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable declaration requirements, including the gas control. Export entries include a cultural-goods licence control and a fur control; confirm these separately if re-exporting.
Send your broker the material composition, intended use, photographs and retail packaging to confirm the commodity code. For the wider festive range, see Christmas decorations and gift wrap.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper party confetti, circular pieces | 9505 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the paper, colour and scattering behaviour
Specify tissue or heavier paper, shape, dimensions, colour mix, pack net weight and packaging finish. State whether glitter, foil, plastic film or coatings are excluded. Approve a physical sample and retain it as the production reference; a photograph cannot show how pieces separate or how much dust they release.
For consumer confetti sold in Great Britain, the importer must ensure the product is safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess the actual material and intended use before approving artwork. Ask for evidence supporting any biodegradable or colourfast description, and check the venue's own conditions before choosing an outdoor product.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 5,000 retail packs of paper party confetti under 9505 90 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,700. Duty at 2% is £114. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,814, so it is £1,162.80. Import taxes total £1,276.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £114 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Paper and cut: compare stock and shapes with the approved sample; check for joined pieces, rough cuts, dust and foreign material.
Colour transfer: rub dry and damp pieces against pale fabric and a representative table surface; record staining and compare colours across cartons.
Pack contents: weigh sampled packs against the agreed net contents and check the colour mix, seals and artwork.
Arrival condition: open cartons from different parts of the delivery and check for dampness, musty smells and clumped paper. Use the inspection guide to agree checks before shipment.
What goes wrong
A supplier may substitute heavier paper, leaving confetti that drops differently from the sample, or use dyes that stain damp tablecloths. Cutting waste can make packs dusty, while moisture can make pieces stick together. Agree material substitutions in writing and test finished packs rather than loose factory samples.
Paper mixed with shiny film can also undermine the description buyers approved. Keep the material list, sample and packaging artwork together, and investigate differences before distributing the delivery.
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 paper party confetti from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 9505 90 00 00 a 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. Confirm the code for your actual product.
What should I specify when ordering paper confetti?
Specify paper stock, shapes, dimensions, colours, pack net weight and packaging. State whether coatings, glitter, foil and plastic film are excluded, and approve a finished retail sample.
How do I check whether confetti will stain?
Test finished pieces dry and damp against pale fabric and intended surfaces. Compare production packs with the approved sample and record any colour transfer before accepting the batch.
Does paper confetti need a product safety assessment?
For consumer confetti sold in Great Britain, the importer must ensure it is safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess the materials, intended use and relevant risks before sale.