Sourcing rigid badge holders from China
Rigid plastic ID badge holders entered under the relevant lines of heading 3926 carry 6% UK duty from China. Confirm classification before ordering; for consumer products supplied in Great Britain, confirm the applicable safety requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources rigid plastic ID badge holders.
UK duty on rigid plastic badge holders
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, the relevant lines carry 6% duty from China. Heading 3926 includes plastic office or school supplies and other plastic articles. The table repeats candidate codes across badge-holder designs; orientation and closure alone do not establish classification.
No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded on these lines. The residual line's suspensions cover named goods and uses; do not assume badge holders qualify. That line also attaches veterinary control, a torture and repression goods import prohibition, and related export restrictions. Their specific application to these holders has not been established; ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for goods from China before shipment.
Send photographs, resin details, drawings and intended use to your broker to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see custom plastic parts and articles.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait rigid plastic badge holders, if classified as office supplies | 3926 10 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Enclosed rigid plastic badge holders, residual classification to confirm | 3926 90 97 90 | 6% | None |
Specify card fit, retention and attachment
Specify usable internal dimensions against the actual card, including its thickness and any printed overlay. Agree portrait or landscape orientation, open-face or enclosed construction, insertion direction, thumb access and whether the card must remain removable. State whether lanyards, clips or reels are included.
Fix the resin grade, colour, transparency and permitted recycled content. Agree the attachment-slot shape, corner finish and packaging that prevents clear faces rubbing together. Approve a sample with the intended card and attachment fitted, then retain it for comparison.
For holders intended or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, general product safety rules apply; confirm the applicable safety requirements with the relevant authority. Ask for UK REACH information covering resin, colourants and additives. Confirm with the relevant authority whether candidate-list substances in the supplied holders trigger recipient safe-use information duties and what information to provide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 5000 custom rigid plastic ID badge holders, subject to classification confirmation under 3926 10 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 6% is £384. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,784, so it is £1,356.80. Import taxes total £1,740.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £384 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Card fit: insert the intended card, check visible details and thumb access, then invert and handle the holder to check retention.
Attachment: fit the intended clip or lanyard, pull and twist it using an agreed inspection method, and check slot cracking or distortion.
Moulding and finish: check sharp flash, warped backs, brittle corners, cloudy faces and scratches against the retained sample.
Arrival: check carton damage, separating protection, orientation, colours and supplied accessories. Compare production samples with the approved holder using the quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
A holder can match the card's outer dimensions yet grip too tightly because its usable cavity is smaller. Loose retaining lips let cards slide out; thick overlays can prevent closure. Test with the buyer's actual card rather than relying on a factory's demonstration card.
Attachment slots can crack at thin corners, while clear faces arrive scratched after loose packing. Resin substitution can change stiffness and transparency. Record acceptable fit and appearance, require agreement before material changes, and separate damaged arrivals while the supplier investigates.
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 rigid plastic ID badge holders from China?
The relevant lines of heading 3926 carry 6% duty from China in the supplied tariff snapshot, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm the holder's commodity code before ordering.
Which commodity code should I use for rigid badge holders?
3926 10 00 00 covers office or school supplies; 3926 90 97 90 is a residual plastic articles line. These are candidates to check with your broker using the holder's construction and intended use.
How do I check that my cards will fit?
Send the actual card and any overlay for sample approval. Check usable cavity dimensions, insertion, removal, closure and retention with the intended clip or lanyard attached.
What material documents should I request?
Request resin grade, colourant and additive details, permitted recycled content and UK REACH candidate-list information. Match documents to the actual holder, colour and supplied accessories.