Sourcing plastic luggage tags from China
Plastic luggage tags from China entered under heading 3926 carry 6% UK duty. The relevant residual line has product-specific suspensions, rather than a general reduced rate for tags. Consumer tags sold in Great Britain must be safe. Cambridge China Bridge sources plastic luggage tags.
UK duty on plastic luggage tags
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3926 covers other articles of plastics. For ordinary plastic luggage tags, 3926 90 97 90 is a candidate residual code carrying 6% duty on goods from China. The table shows product variants sharing that line, rather than separate tariff classifications. For bags and cases, see own-label luggage.
The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measure on this line. Its suspensions cover named products; do not assume a luggage tag qualifies. The UK Trade Tariff also attaches veterinary control, an import prohibition concerning torture and repression goods, and an export restriction concerning those goods. The importer should confirm the applicable requirements with their customs broker, using the complete material specification and intended use.
Confirm the commodity code before ordering, particularly where the tag combines different materials. Send the broker photographs, the material breakdown and a description of the attachment. For classification certainty, ask HMRC or your customs broker whether an Advance Tariff Ruling would be appropriate, using the linked guide to prepare your enquiry.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid moulded plastic luggage tags, subject to classification | 3926 90 97 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the tag body, strap and address window
Specify the plastic type and grade, flexibility, body dimensions, colour, surface finish and printing method. Define the attachment hole, strap material, fastening and fit around the intended luggage handle. For address-window designs, approve the insert size, writing surface, cover retention and which personal details remain visible.
Consumer tags supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Assess sharp edges, brittle bodies and detachable components against foreseeable use. For plasticised material, confirm with the relevant authority whether UK REACH phthalate restrictions apply, using our published plastics guidance to prepare your questions. Ask for substance information covering the body, strap, colourants and print, with testing agreed for the actual materials.
Retain an approved assembled sample and agree practical checks for bending, strap pulling, fastening retention and print rubbing. Record the method and acceptance criteria before production so that the factory and inspector assess the same features.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 printed plastic luggage tags, illustrative order under 3926 90 97 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 6% is £384. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,784, so it is £1,356.80. Import taxes total £1,740.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £384 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body: compare dimensions, colour and flexibility with the approved sample; inspect edges, moulding flash, cracks and distorted address windows.
Attachment: fit the strap to representative luggage handles, pull the assembled tag and check that the fastening stays closed without tearing the hole.
Print and insert: check artwork, spelling, alignment and rub resistance; insert the address card and check writing access and cover retention.
Arrival: check quantities, colour assortments, assembled straps and packing damage against the order. Keep inspection records and retained samples; see quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A tag can look correct while its strap slips open or its attachment hole tears. Resin substitution can make the body brittle, and a tight address window can buckle the insert. Reject sample approval based only on photographs: handle the assembled tag and test the attachment.
Printing may rub off against a suitcase, address covers may fall out, and tightly packed tags may arrive bent. Agree corrective action against the retained sample and inspect the finished assembly before shipment, then repeat the practical checks on arrival.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on plastic luggage tags from China?
Under candidate code 3926 90 97 90, the supplied tariff record shows 6% duty from China and no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Confirm classification for the finished tag.
Can plastic luggage tags use a duty suspension?
Do not assume so. The suspensions recorded on the residual line are limited to named products. Ask your broker to check the exact description against your tag.
What should I test on a luggage tag sample?
Check strap retention, tearing around the attachment hole, body flexibility, edge finish, print rubbing and address-cover retention. Test the assembled tag on a representative luggage handle.
What chemical information should I ask the factory for?
Ask for the body and strap materials, colourants, additives and print composition, together with UK REACH substance information and test reports matched to the supplied materials.