Sourcing polyhedral gaming dice from China
Polyhedral gaming dice from China provisionally fall under 9504 90 80 00 at 0% UK duty; the wider heading ranges from 0% to 2%. Consumer products must be safe; for dice intended for play by children under 14, confirm the applicable toy rules with Trading Standards. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyhedral gaming dice.
UK duty and material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9504 covered table and parlour games alongside other gaming equipment. For ordinary polyhedral gaming dice, use 9504 90 80 00 as the provisional classification. Its China duty was 0%, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Playing cards elsewhere in the heading carried 2%.
The tariff attaches ivory import control and CITES control to this code. For ivory or other animal-derived materials, have your customs broker confirm the applicable requirement before ordering from China. CITES-listed species require the relevant permits. Specify resin, acrylic or a named metal rather than accepting an unspecified natural material. The recorded export controls concern outward movements and should be checked separately if you re-export.
Confirm the commodity code using the material, intended use and contents of any game bundle. The table shows material variants within the same provisional tariff line, rather than separate classifications. For the wider heading, see poker chips and gaming goods.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin polyhedral gaming dice | 9504 90 80 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the shapes, numbering and casting
List every shape and the quantity of each in a set. Supply a face-by-face numbering drawing, numeral orientation, font, ink colour and any logo artwork. Agree dimensions, weight, edge profile and finish against retained samples. For resin dice, define acceptable bubbles, clarity and inclusion placement; for metal dice, name the alloy, coating and surface finish.
State the intended users before approving packaging. For dice designed or intended for play by children under 14, confirm the applicable toy rules with Trading Standards. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. Plan product-specific safety assessment alongside the appearance checks; testing and certification can help organise that work.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 boxed polyhedral gaming dice sets, illustrative only under 9504 90 80 00, invoiced at £1,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,300, so it is £260. 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
Contents: open packed sets and compare shapes, quantities, colours and accessories with the approved packing list.
Numbering: compare every face with the artwork, checking missing or repeated values, orientation, contrast and ink adhesion.
Casting and finish: inspect bubbles, cracks, warped faces, uneven edges, metal burrs and coating defects against retained samples.
Packing and arrival: check that inserts prevent rubbing, open delivered cartons for chips or scratches, and retain batch photographs. Agree the inspection method through the quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
Polishing can round edges unevenly, while resin inclusions can leave voids or sit against a face. Numeral paint may smear or rub away, and mixed sets can contain duplicate shapes or missing pieces. Loose packing lets metal dice damage neighbouring pieces. Approve the packed sample as well as the loose dice.
A clear sample does not prove balanced rolling across a batch. If you intend to claim that the dice are balanced, agree a repeatable rolling test and the evidence needed before making that claim. Keep appearance acceptance separate from the assessment of sharp edges, breakage and intended users.
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 polyhedral dice from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 0% for 9504 90 80 00, the provisional line for ordinary gaming dice, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the classification before shipping.
Are polyhedral gaming dice treated as toys?
For dice designed or intended for play by children under 14, confirm the applicable toy rules with Trading Standards. Set the intended users before arranging testing and approving packaging.
What should I specify for custom dice?
Specify every shape, set contents, material, dimensions, edge profile, numbering artwork, ink colour and packaging. Retain approved samples showing acceptable bubbles, inclusions and finish.
How do I check whether dice are balanced?
Agree a repeatable rolling test with the supplier and record the results. Visual checks for bubbles and uneven faces help identify defects but do not establish a balanced-dice claim.