Sourcing precious-metal watch bands from China

Duty on precious-metal watch bracelets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 9113 covers watch straps, bands, bracelets and their parts. Precious-metal bracelets fall under 9113 10 10 00; metal clad with precious metal falls under 9113 10 90 00. Both carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions for these lines.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches CITES import and export controls and a cultural-goods export licence control to both lines. Listed-species components can require CITES permits. For goods from China, confirm any species-related documents and the applicable import declaration with your customs broker. Ask separately about the attached export controls before any subsequent export.

Confirm the construction and commodity code before ordering. The table separates bracelets and parts within the same tariff lines. Gold- or silver-plated base-metal bracelets carry 6% under 9113 20 00 00. See the wider watch straps and bracelets guide for other materials.

Specify the alloy, links and clasp

Specify the precious metal and fineness, solid or hollow links, finished bracelet weight and agreed tolerance. Identify the material of the clasp, pins, screws and end links separately. State lug width, end-link profile, bracelet length, taper, removable links, clasp adjustment and polished or brushed surfaces. Approve a sample fitted to the intended watch case.

Hallmarking is a legal requirement when selling precious-metal articles above the applicable weight exemption. Agree the hallmarking arrangements before production and confirm the exemption, if claimed, for the metal concerned. Confirm the applicable nickel release requirements for metal bracelets and clasps in direct and prolonged skin contact with the relevant authority; request reports covering the actual alloy and finish.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 hollow gold watch bracelets, illustrative order under 9113 10 10 00, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,800. Duty at 2% is £656. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,456, so it is £6,691.20. Import taxes total £7,347.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £656 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Metal: compare alloy verification and finished weight with the specification; investigate differences between the approved sample and delivered stock.

Fit: mount the end links and spring bars on the intended case, check articulation and confirm that removable links and adjustment work.

Clasp and finish: check closure, retention, pins and screws; examine solder joints, sharp edges, polishing marks and colour consistency.

Documents: match material records and nickel release reports to the supplied construction, and check the agreed hallmarking evidence. Use our inspection guide to plan checks.

What goes wrong

An attractive sample can conceal hollow links where solid construction was expected, a different clasp alloy or a lower finished weight. End links may foul the case, screws can loosen and polishing can leave thin edges or uneven surfaces. Keep an approved sample and a component-level material specification.

A late change to the clasp, solder or surface finish can make earlier test reports unrepresentative. Check the delivered construction against the tested sample, and resolve missing hallmarking arrangements before offering the bracelets for sale.

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.