Sourcing skeleton clocks from China
Skeleton clocks from China under heading 9105 attract UK duty of 2% to 4%: mechanical models pay 2% and electrically operated models pay 4%. Consumer clocks must be safe before sale in Great Britain; check exposed mechanisms, glass covers and stability. Cambridge China Bridge sources skeleton clocks.
Skeleton clock duty: 2% or 4%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9105 covers other clocks, including relevant skeleton wall, mantel and desk clocks. Goods from China carry 2% duty when mechanical and 4% when electrically operated, including battery quartz models. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no duty suspensions.
The tariff attaches a CITES import control and also lists CITES export controls and a cultural-object export licence measure. Identify any animal or plant materials in bases and decoration. CITES-listed materials can require permits or certificates when imported from China into Great Britain, with documents presented at customs through designated ports. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable material-specific documents and any later export requirements.
Classify the complete clock by its function and operation, rather than its skeleton appearance. Clocks with watch movements and movements imported separately fall outside this heading. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. See the mantel clock guide for related products within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrically operated skeleton wall clocks | 9105 21 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Mechanical skeleton wall clocks | 9105 29 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Electrically operated skeleton mantel and desk clocks | 9105 91 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Mechanical skeleton mantel and desk clocks | 9105 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the exposed movement and protective cover
Define whether the visible gears are the working movement or decorative parts around a quartz movement. Name the movement maker and model, winding method, agreed running duration, timekeeping tolerance and acceptable operating noise. Approve the frame material, finish, dial visibility, hand shape and clearance. For pendulum models, agree the levelling and starting procedure.
Specify the cover material, how it is retained, access for winding or battery replacement, and support for the clock during transport. For consumer models sold in Great Britain, general product safety rules require a safe product before placing it on the market. Assess accessible sharp edges, moving parts, glass breakage and tipping. For electrically operated clocks and supplied batteries, confirm any applicable electrical-equipment waste and battery producer obligations with the relevant authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 mechanical skeleton mantel clocks, illustrative order under 9105 99 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,500. Duty at 2% is £90. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,590, so it is £918. Import taxes total £1,008; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £90 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Movement: run samples against a reference clock, record gain or loss against the agreed tolerance, and check winding, starting, setting and hand clearance. Confirm decorative gears have not been substituted for the approved working mechanism.
Frame and finish: check alignment, burrs, loose screws, visible tool marks and plating against the approved sample. Check the base sits steadily and the pendulum moves without touching the frame or cover.
Cover and packing: check glass or acrylic for scratches, chips and secure seating. After a packed-carton handling test, inspect the cover, frame, hands and movement, then repeat the running check. Check any transit restraints can be removed as instructed.
Documents and accessories: match the movement specification and instructions to the delivered model, check winding keys and adjustment tools, and verify the material declaration and any applicable CITES documents. Use the inspection guide to organise the shipment checks.
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What goes wrong
An exposed mechanism makes bent frames, misaligned gears and inconsistent finishing easy to see. A clock can look correct in photographs yet stop when the hands touch or the pendulum catches. Covers can arrive cracked, while loose packing can allow the movement to shift against the base.
Approve a running sample and its packed configuration together. Record how the clock is secured, unpacked, levelled and started, then repeat those steps on arrival. Keep photographs of the approved mechanism so inspection can identify a changed movement or purely decorative gear assembly.
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 skeleton clocks from China?
Under heading 9105, mechanical skeleton clocks pay 2% and electrically operated models pay 4%. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does a quartz skeleton clock count as electrically operated?
Yes. A battery quartz movement counts as electrically operated, even when the clock has visible decorative gears. The relevant electrically operated clock lines carry 4% duty.
What should I specify for a mechanical skeleton clock?
Specify the movement maker and model, winding method, running duration, timekeeping tolerance, noise, frame finish, protective cover and packing. Approve a sample that runs after unpacking and setting.
Do skeleton clocks need CITES paperwork?
The tariff attaches a CITES import control. Check the species of any animal or plant materials used; listed specimens can require permits or certificates. Confirm the documents with your customs broker before shipment.