Sourcing unstrung coconut-shell beads from China

UK duty on loose coconut-shell beads

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9602 covers worked vegetable or mineral carving material and articles of these materials, alongside specified moulded or carved articles and unhardened gelatin articles. This guide concerns loose coconut-shell beads. For the wider heading, see vegetable ivory ornaments.

The supplied hand-made and other lines both carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension shown. The UK Trade Tariff attaches veterinary control to both lines. Confirm the requirement for your coconut-shell beads with your customs broker before shipment; the available information does not establish the applicable procedure for this plant material.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, manufacturing process and unstrung condition. The table repeats the supplied codes for different bead forms; these are product examples within the same tariff lines.

Specify the shell, drilling and finish

Specify coconut shell rather than a resin imitation, bead shape, outside dimensions, thickness, hole diameter and position, and acceptable variation. Send the intended cord or findings for a threading trial. Agree an approved sample showing the permitted colour range, surface texture and edge finish.

State whether beads are unfinished, waxed, lacquered or dyed, and request the finish composition. Agree checks for colour transfer onto pale fabric and resistance to the intended handling conditions. Specify loose packing by shape and finish, the counting method and batch identification.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess sharp shell edges, splinters and small loose beads against the intended use. Tell the supplier whether the beads are for adult craft work, jewellery making or another application before approving samples.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 60,000 unstrung coconut-shell beads under 9602 00 00 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,090, so it is £618. 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

Material and appearance: compare shell structure, colour range and surface finish with the approved sample; separate cracked, flaking or heavily pitted beads.

Dimensions and holes: measure thickness and hole size across sampled packs, check drilling is complete, and thread beads onto the buyer's actual cord.

Edges and finish: feel around rims and hole exits for sharp fragments; rub finished beads against pale fabric and check for coating flakes.

Packing and arrival: check pack counts, batch identification and separation of finishes; inspect for dampness, musty smells, mould and crushing.

What goes wrong

A sample can thread easily while the shipment contains blocked or undersized holes. Thin shell can split at the drill exit, rough holes can abrade cord, and mixed thicknesses can spoil a matched design. Agree defect examples and inspect production beads using the intended cord.

Natural colour variation can exceed the buyer's expectations, while dye or surface polish can transfer during handling. Damp packing can leave a musty batch. Record the accepted colour range and packing condition, then use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.

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.