Sourcing tie clips from China
Tie clips covered by heading 7117 carry 4% UK duty from China across the supplied lines, so the duty range is a single rate. Importers must demonstrate compliance with relevant product safety requirements. Specify the base metal, plating and grip before approving samples. Cambridge China Bridge sources tie clips.
Tie-clip duty and material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7117 covers imitation jewellery. Its supplied lines all carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. The cufflinks row is included only for companion accessories, not as a tie-clip classification. See the base-metal cufflinks guide for the wider heading.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Imports of cat and dog fur products are banned. CITES-listed materials may require permits; listed Annex A, B or C species require a permit. Seal products face a ban with limited exemptions. For any animal-derived decoration on Chinese tie clips, confirm the applicable documents and eligibility with your customs broker before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual materials, glass parts and manufacturing method. Do not use the cufflinks code merely because the goods share a gift box. Import VAT is 20%; see UK import duty and VAT for the calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base-metal tie clips, hand-made, without glass parts | 7117 19 00 10 | 4% | None |
| Other base-metal tie clips | 7117 19 00 90 | 4% | None |
| Imitation-jewellery tie clips of other materials | 7117 90 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Companion base-metal cufflinks and studs, not tie clips | 7117 11 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the bar, jaws and plating
Give the factory the bar length and width, jaw opening, intended tie thickness and the shirt fabric used for sample trials. Specify whether the mechanism is spring-loaded or a slide, the base metal, plating colour, surface finish and logo position. Approve a physical sample that holds the tie and shirt together without snagging either fabric.
Importers placing products on the UK market need to demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements. For metal jewellery parts, confirm with the relevant authority which UK REACH restrictions on cadmium, lead and nickel release where prolonged skin contact occurs apply. Ask for test reports matching the clip's actual base metal and plating, rather than a report for unrelated accessories.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 200 base-metal tie clips under 7117 19 00 90, invoiced at £300 free on board, with £135 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £435. Duty at 4% is £17.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £452.40, so it is £90.48. Import taxes total £107.88; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £17.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Grip: try clips on the agreed tie and shirt fabrics; check for slipping, excessive pressure and jaws that fail to close squarely.
Edges: inspect the underside, jaw teeth and hinge for burrs, sharp corners, loose pins and fabric snagging.
Finish: compare plating colour and logo position with the approved sample; look for scratches, bare patches and adhesive around decorative inserts.
Packing: check that clips cannot rub together in transit, gift-box inserts hold them securely and carton contents match the order.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A clip can look correct while its spring is too weak to hold the tie, or its jaw teeth mark delicate fabric. Uneven plating is particularly visible along the bar and around the hinge. Test the approved sample in use, then repeat those checks on production goods.
Treat changes to the base metal, plating or decorative insert as changes requiring review before shipment. A matching colour does not establish matching materials or test coverage. Arrange a quality inspection against the approved sample and written specification.
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 tie clips from China?
The supplied heading 7117 lines all carry 4% duty from China, read on 30 September 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions are recorded. Confirm the code for your clip.
Can I use the cufflinks commodity code for tie clips?
Do not assume so. The supplied cufflinks and studs line is a separate description. Check your tie clip's materials and construction when confirming its commodity code.
What should I ask a tie-clip factory to specify?
Ask for the base metal, plating, bar dimensions, jaw opening, mechanism, logo position and packaging. Approve a sample using the tie and shirt fabrics your customers will wear.
How do I check whether tie clips damage fabric?
Fit and remove sample clips on the agreed fabrics. Look for pulled threads, tooth marks and sharp edges, then check whether the clip slips during wear.