Sourcing tokens and commemorative coins from China
Coin from China pays 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 7118, whether coin that is not legal tender, such as tokens and novelty coins, or other coin, with no anti-dumping duty. Making or distributing imitation British coins in a sales promotion is an offence without Treasury consent, and buyers check metal, weight, strike quality and finish.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, heading 7118 covers coin, split into coin (other than gold coin) not being legal tender, and other coin. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Medals, medallions and challenge coins without a face value are often classified elsewhere, for example as badges or imitation jewellery, so confirm the commodity code from the design and use.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coin (other than gold coin), not being legal tender | 7118 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other coin | 7118 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Imitation coin rules and specification
Under section 19 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 it is an offence to make, sell or distribute imitation British coins in connection with a scheme to promote the sale of a product or service, unless the Treasury has consented in writing. An imitation British coin is anything that resembles a coin that is legal tender in the UK in shape, size and substance, so design promotional tokens so they cannot be confused with UK coins.
Specify metal or alloy, diameter, thickness, weight, edge (plain or milled), finish (proof, antique, plated, enamelled), design approval, and packing in capsules or cards. Approve a struck sample before the run.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10,000 brass arcade tokens under 7118 10 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,800, so it is £560. 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
Strike: check detail and finish against the approved sample.
Dimensions: check diameter, thickness and weight.
Design: check it cannot be confused with UK coins. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Coin and token orders fail on design and finish. Tokens resemble UK coins too closely, plating wears quickly, and strike detail is weak compared with the sample.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on tokens from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, coin not legal tender under 7118 10 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Can I make promotional coins that look like pound coins?
Not without Treasury consent; imitation British coins in a sales promotion are an offence under section 19 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.
Are challenge coins in heading 7118?
Often not; medals and badges without a face value may classify elsewhere, so confirm the code.
What should I specify for a token?
Metal, diameter, thickness, weight, edge, finish and packing.