Sourcing silver lockets from China
Silver lockets from China carry 2% UK import duty, including silver plated with other precious metals. Before selling them as silver, confirm hallmarking or the applicable exemption. Specify alloy, weight, hinges and photo retention. Cambridge China Bridge sources silver lockets.
UK duty on silver lockets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7113 covers precious-metal jewellery and its parts, and jewellery of base metal clad with precious metal. Silver lockets under 7113 11 00 00 carry 2% duty from China, including silver plated with other precious metals. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. All table rows use this same silver commodity line.
The tariff attaches Russia-related entry restrictions, ivory import controls, CITES import and export controls, seal-product import controls and ivory export controls. Have your customs broker confirm which declarations or documents apply to the actual materials and origin. For listed ivory intended for sale, registration or an exemption application is required. Seal products brought into Great Britain for trade must have a seal catch certificate. For any wildlife-derived decoration, establish the species before ordering and confirm the applicable CITES documents.
Confirm the complete material specification, including the locket body, hinge, bail and any supplied chain, using finding your commodity code. For other silver products, see the wider silver guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver lockets | 7113 11 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the silver body and photo compartment
Specify silver fineness for the shell, hinge, bail and solder, with the metal weight and agreed tolerance. State whether the finish is bare silver, rhodium plating or gold plating, and define the plating thickness. Record the external dimensions, usable photo opening, insert material, closure design and whether a chain is included.
Approve a sample with a fitted photograph. Check that the retaining frame holds the photograph without creasing it, the lid closes flush, and the hinge does not rub against the insert. Agree the engraving position and leave space for any required hallmark.
Confirm hallmarking before sale. Ask an assay office to confirm whether a silver weight exemption applies to the finished design, including any conditions for newer or mixed-material articles. Where hallmarking is required, new stock entering the Great Britain market needs a UK hallmark or Common Control Mark. Plan assay around the finished design, including solder and findings.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 silver lockets, illustrative order only under 7113 11 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,800. Duty at 2% is £616. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,416, so it is £6,283.20. Import taxes total £6,899.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £616 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Metal and weight: compare sampled lockets with the agreed weight and fineness; include hinge parts, solder and the bail in the material checks.
Hinge and closure: open and close sampled pieces repeatedly; check alignment, loose pins, secure closure and sharp edges around the opening.
Photo fit: insert the agreed photo template; check retention, usable space and whether the cover scratches or traps the photograph.
Finish and evidence: inspect plating inside the compartment and around the hinge, check engraving and applicable hallmarks, and review nickel-release, lead and cadmium testing for skin-contact parts and base-metal findings. Include these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A locket can match the approved sample when closed yet fail in use: the hinge twists, the lid springs open, or the photo frame releases its insert. Thin shells can dent during engraving or handling. Inspect the open compartment as well as the front, and compare production samples with the approved working sample.
Material substitutions can affect fineness, weight and skin-contact testing. Plating may conceal a different hinge or bail alloy. Ask for component-level material records, test production samples, and settle the hallmarking plan before dispatch. Specify individual protective packing to reduce rubbing, dents and tarnish.
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 silver lockets from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% for 7113 11 00 00, including silver plated with other precious metals. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line.
Do silver lockets need a hallmark?
To sell them as silver, confirm hallmarking or an exemption. Ask an assay office to confirm whether a silver weight exemption applies and any conditions for newer or mixed-material articles. Check the finished design with that office.
What should I check inside a silver locket?
Check the photo opening, retaining frame, cover and hinge clearance with a fitted photograph. The lid should close securely without creasing the photo, trapping the insert or exposing sharp edges.
What should I specify for gold-plated silver lockets?
Specify the silver alloy beneath the plating, component materials, plating thickness and finish. Check the hinge, bail and inside surfaces as well as the visible front, and agree how engraving affects the finish.