Sourcing pocket watches from China
Pocket watches from China under heading 9102 pay £0.20 each for both electrical and mechanical models, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Consumer models sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Specify the movement, lid and chain before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources pocket watches.
£0.20 per pocket watch
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9102 covers wristwatches, pocket watches and other watches outside heading 9101. Pocket watches use 9102 91 00 00 when electrically operated, including battery quartz models, and 9102 99 00 00 otherwise. Both carry £0.20 duty per watch from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The tariff attaches CITES import control. If leather accessories contain CITES-listed material, confirm the applicable UK import and Chinese export documents with APHA and the Chinese authority. The tariff also flags CITES export control and a cultural-goods export licence; ask your customs broker to confirm requirements for any onward export.
Precious-metal cases fall outside this guide. Confirm the movement and case material when finding your commodity code, and see the wider watch guide. Table entries show case styles sharing the relevant codes. Duty depends on watch quantity, so no percentage-duty worked example applies; the order values are illustrative.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz pocket watches with an exposed dial | 9102 91 00 00 | £0.20 per item | None |
| Mechanical pocket watches with an exposed dial | 9102 99 00 00 | £0.20 per item | None |
Movement, lid and chain specifications
Specify quartz or mechanical operation, the movement maker and reference, winding method, case material, finish, dial layout and crystal material. Choose an exposed dial or hinged cover, and agree crown position, lid opening, chain attachment and engraving artwork. Set written acceptance criteria for timekeeping, winding feel, hinge alignment and finish against an approved sample.
Consumer pocket watches placed on the Great Britain market must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. For quartz models, obtain the RoHS declaration of conformity and ensure technical documentation is available. Check manufacturer identification and conformity marking. For metal parts intended for prolonged skin contact, ask for nickel-release evidence under UK REACH.
Battery quartz watches are electrical equipment for WEEE purposes. Arrange annual producer registration and report equipment and battery weights separately under the relevant rules. Agree battery type and replacement access; follow the reference guide's recommendation for a case back requiring a tool and a swallowing warning on the retail pack.
Inspection checklist
Movement: compare the fitted movement with the approved reference, measure timekeeping in different positions, and check winding, setting and hand clearance.
Lid and chain: operate the cover and latch repeatedly, check hinge play and crown access, and pull-test the bow, chain links and fastening against the agreed specification.
Case and finish: check crystal seating, sharp edges, plating coverage and engraving alignment. Request pressure testing where water resistance is claimed.
Battery and packing: check battery condition and separate-collection marking, secure case-back closure, importer identification where applicable, and protection against chain scratches during transport.
What goes wrong
A mechanical sample can look correct while the bulk order uses a different movement. Loose hands can catch, stiff winding can damage the crown, and misaligned covers can rub the crystal or fail to latch. Thin plating wears at the bow and hinge; an unsecured chain can scratch the case inside its gift box.
Approve the actual movement and assembled sample, keep the specification tied to that sample, and inspect operation as well as appearance. Run quartz samples with the supplied battery and mechanical samples after winding. Agree packing that separates the chain from the case, then check arrival cartons using the inspection guide.
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 pocket watches from China?
The supplied tariff facts show £0.20 per watch for both electrical and other pocket watches under heading 9102, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded.
Which commodity code covers quartz pocket watches?
Electrically operated pocket watches use 9102 91 00 00. Other pocket watches use 9102 99 00 00. Confirm the movement and case material before declaring the goods.
What should I specify for mechanical pocket watches?
Specify the movement maker and reference, winding method, timekeeping acceptance criteria, case material, lid mechanism, chain attachment and finish. Approve an assembled sample.
What should I check when pocket watches arrive?
Check timekeeping, winding or battery condition, hand clearance, lid closure, chain attachment, plating and engraving. Look for crystal damage and scratches caused by loose chains in the packaging.