Sourcing replica bronze statues from China
Replica bronze statues classified as base-metal ornaments carry 0% UK duty from China, including precious-metal-plated versions. Consumer ornaments must be safe, and copyright material cannot be copied without permission. Specify the alloy and approve the casting and finish. Cambridge China Bridge sources replica bronze statues.
Duty on replica bronze statues
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8306 covers base-metal statuettes and other ornaments, alongside non-electric bells, frames and base-metal mirrors. Replica bronze statues classified as ornaments fall within the product scope considered here. See the wider metal ornaments guide.
For goods from China, ornaments without precious-metal plating under 8306 29 00 00 and precious-metal-plated ornaments under 8306 21 00 00 both carry 0% duty. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either line. The table repeats these lines for different statue designs.
Send your customs broker photographs, alloy details, dimensions, construction and plating information to confirm the commodity code. Describe the goods as replicas in the specification and invoice. The import duty and VAT guide explains the separate tax calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replica bronze standing figures, without precious-metal plating | 8306 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Replica bronze statues plated with precious metal | 8306 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the bronze, reproduction and patina
Identify the sculpture being reproduced and check whether copyright protects the material you intend to copy. Copyright material cannot be copied or used without permission. Obtain the relevant permission before commissioning a protected reproduction, and keep the supporting documents with the approved design.
Specify the bronze alloy, dimensions, weight, hollow or solid construction, wall thickness where relevant, joining method and base attachment. Distinguish cast bronze from resin or another metal with a bronze-coloured finish. Request material verification on production samples, including lead testing where exposure is a concern.
Approve photographs and a physical sample showing facial detail, hands, lettering, seams and the underside. Agree patina colour, gloss, surface texture and any lacquer or precious-metal plating. State indoor or outdoor use and how the statue will be supported. Consumer ornaments must be safe; check sharp projections and stability against their intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 23 small replica bronze statues; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 8306 29 00 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,600, so it is £1,520. 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
Material and construction: compare alloy verification, dimensions and weight with the agreed specification; check hollow sections, joins and base attachments for cracks or movement.
Casting and finish: compare detail and patina with the approved sample; inspect for pits, visible repairs, rough seams, coating loss and colour differences.
Stability and handling: check that the base sits flat, fixings hold securely and accessible edges are smooth; assess projecting limbs and accessories during handling.
Packing and arrival: check that supports protect projections and prevent movement without rubbing the finish; unpack sampled pieces to look for bent parts, broken joins and moisture damage. Arrange a quality inspection before shipment.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A bronze-coloured sample can conceal a different underlying material. Weight alone does not establish alloy composition. Poor castings lose fine detail, show pinholes or depend on repairs that become visible through the patina. Colour approval from photographs alone can also leave the buyer with inconsistent batches.
A narrow base or loose attachment can make a statue unstable. Projecting fingers, tails and accessories can break when packing loads bear on them. Approve the production material, base assembly and packed sample together, and record which changes require your approval before the factory continues.
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 replica bronze statues from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% under 8306 29 00 00 for other base-metal ornaments and 8306 21 00 00 for precious-metal-plated ornaments, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Can a Chinese factory copy a sculpture for my business?
Check whether copyright protects the material being copied. Copyright material cannot be copied or used without permission. Settle the reproduction permission before commissioning the factory.
How do I check that a statue is really bronze?
Specify the alloy and construction, then arrange material verification on production samples. Compare dimensions, weight and the underside with the approved sample; colour and weight alone do not establish composition.
What should I inspect when bronze replicas arrive?
Check casting detail, patina consistency, cracks, repaired areas, base stability and loose attachments. Look closely at projecting parts and any points where packing has rubbed the finish.