Sourcing silver rods from China

Silver rod duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7106 covers silver, including silver plated with gold or platinum, in unwrought, semi-manufactured or powder form. The semi-manufactured line, 7106 92 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The table shows rod profiles sharing this line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for the semi-manufactured line. The powder line separately has waste import and export controls. For a shipment of waste powder from China into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the Chinese competent authority for consent. If powder accompanies your rods, ask your customs broker to confirm whether it is waste and which requirements apply.

Confirm the composition and manufacturing stage using finding your commodity code. Distinguish solid silver rods from silver-plated base-metal stock and finished components. For the wider heading, see silver wire from China.

Specify alloy, rod profile and temper

Specify silver content and alloy composition, cross-sectional shape, diameter or dimensions across flats, length, dimensional tolerances and straightness. Agree temper, surface finish, cut-end condition and net metal weight. Identify any gold or platinum plating separately, including the underlying silver alloy.

Retain an approved sample and request composition results linked to each production batch. Trial the rod in your intended turning, bending or forming process. Agree how hardness and straightness will be measured, and how rods will be supported and separated during transport.

Official hallmarking guidance lists raw material, including rods, as exempt from compulsory hallmarking. Assess finished silver articles separately before sale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of round silver rods for a jewellery workshop, ordered by net metal weight under 7106 92 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £150 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,650. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,650, so it is £530. 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

Composition: match batch labels to analysis reports and arrange independent silver-content testing of production samples.

Dimensions: measure the cross-section along sampled rods, then check length, straightness and cut ends against the agreed drawing.

Temper and surface: repeat the agreed machining or forming trial; inspect for cracks, scratches, burrs and tarnish.

Weight and packing: reconcile net metal weight separately from packaging and check for bent rods or mixed batches. Plan sampling through the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A rod can resemble the approved sample while having a different alloy or temper. Hard material may crack during bending, while soft material can distort during clamping. Cross-sectional variation and bent stock can increase machining waste. Surface marks may remain visible after polishing.

Unsupported bundles can arrive bent, and labels can become separated from their batches. Agree protective packing, batch identification and weight reconciliation before dispatch. Keep material with conflicting composition reports or unexpected processing behaviour separate until testing resolves the discrepancy.

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.