Sourcing poker chips from China
Poker chips provisionally classified under 9504 90 80 00 carry 0% UK duty from China; heading 9504 ranges from 0% to 2%. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree materials, artwork and set contents before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources poker chips.
UK duty on poker chips
Heading 9504 covers table and parlour games alongside billiards equipment, playing cards and gaming machines. For ordinary poker chips, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the residual games line 9504 90 80 00 applies. The table shows chip variants against this same candidate line, rather than separate tariff lines. See the wider games guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, 9504 90 80 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Heading 9504 rates ranged from 0% to 2%, with playing cards at 2%. The residual line attaches ivory import control and CITES import control. Listed-species ivory requires an exemption for dealing; ask your broker to confirm the registration or certificate reference required for import.
For CITES-listed materials, confirm the applicable permits with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Chinese export authority before shipment. Specify synthetic or ceramic materials clearly and investigate any animal-derived material offered. Confirm the commodity code using the composition, intended use and full contents of any boxed set.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic poker chips, subject to classification confirmation | 9504 90 80 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the chip body, artwork and set contents
Name the actual body material and any metal insert, rather than accepting a description such as clay without a composition statement. Agree diameter, thickness, weight and acceptable variation, edge pattern, surface texture and colour references. Approve finished samples for handling and stacking, and require approval before material substitution.
Define the denomination mix, logo placement, printing or label method, trays, dealer button and case contents. Keep approved artwork and a finished sample. State whether chips are for adult poker or children's play; for products designed or intended for play by children under 14, confirm with the relevant authority whether toy safety rules apply.
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Ask for a safety assessment covering the finished chips, accessible inserts, edges and foreseeable handling. Agree relevant testing before production through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 boxed poker-chip sets under 9504 90 80 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,000, so it is £3,000. 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
Body and dimensions: compare materials, weight, diameter and thickness with the approved sample; inspect edges for burrs, cracks and exposed inserts.
Print and finish: check denomination, logo position and colour; rub printed faces and labels using the agreed method and look for transfer, lifting or fading.
Handling: stack chips on a flat surface, compare stack height and stability, and check for warped faces, sticking and loose inserts.
Set and packing: count chips by denomination, verify accessories and tray fit, and inspect cases, hinges and transit damage. Repeat these checks on arrival; see quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A material name can conceal a different formulation or insert. Mixed weights and uneven thickness make stacks inconsistent, while weak labels lift at the edges and colours drift between batches. Compare production samples with the retained sample, including chips taken from packed sets.
Correct total counts can conceal the wrong denomination mix. Loose trays let chips rub together, and heavy contents can damage case hinges during transit. Agree a packing sample, check packed sets before shipment and record shortages or damage when the delivery arrives.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on poker chips from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 0% for 9504 90 80 00, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that this code applies to your chips or complete set.
Are poker chips subject to UK toy rules?
For products designed or intended for play by children under 14, confirm with the relevant authority whether toy safety rules apply. Define the intended users before agreeing the safety assessment and testing.
How do I check poker-chip quality?
Compare weight, dimensions, material and colour with the approved sample. Check stacking, print adhesion, denomination counts and the fit of trays and cases.
Can I import ivory poker chips from China?
Do not treat them as ordinary chips. Listed-species ivory requires an exemption for dealing, and CITES controls may also apply. Confirm eligibility and import documents before ordering.