Sourcing wooden coin cases from China

Duty on wooden coin presentation cases

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 4420 covers wooden caskets, jewellery and cutlery cases and similar articles, alongside ornaments and marquetry. Wooden coin presentation cases should be assessed within the similar-articles category using their actual materials and construction.

The relevant case lines carry 0% duty for other woods and 2% for specified tropical woods. The wood marquetry and inlaid-wood line carries 4%; decoration alone should not be used to select it. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. It attaches CITES import control and, on some lines, ivory import control. For China shipments, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker.

Give your broker the timber species, construction details, photographs and any inlay materials to confirm the commodity code. For related cases within the wider heading, see wooden watch boxes.

Specify the capsule recess and lining

Specify whether the case holds bare coins, capsules or graded holders. Send the actual holder sample and agree recess diameter, depth, removal access and lid clearance. State whether inserts are removable, how trays are supported and whether the lid must stay open for display.

Name the timber species and distinguish solid wood from veneer over a board core. Agree grain, colour, lacquer, hinge finish, clasp position, lining fabric and adhesive. Request an ivory-free construction. Consumer cases sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; assess splinters, sharp hardware and lid behaviour.

CITES-listed timber needs the appropriate permits. Ask for the species name before ordering and have your broker confirm the documents applicable to the China shipment. If ivory is proposed, check exemption eligibility before proceeding rather than assuming a small decorative inlay is acceptable.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 wooden coin presentation cases, illustrative only under 4420 90 99 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,800, so it is £1,960. 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

Holder fit: use the approved capsule or holder to check seating, removal and lid clearance; close the case and check that the contents remain in position.

Timber and finish: check moisture against the agreed specification, inspect for mould, splits and warped lids, and compare grain and colour with the approved sample.

Lining: check recess alignment, fabric adhesion, loose fibres, exposed glue and colour transfer; examine contact surfaces before placing a coin inside.

Hardware and packing: operate hinges and clasps repeatedly, check screws and lid support, and inspect protective wrapping and carton damage. Use a documented inspection process.

What goes wrong

A recess made to the coin diameter can reject the buyer's capsule. Thick lining can reduce clearance, while a shallow recess lets the lid press against the holder. Loose inserts move during transport, glue shows around the fabric and uncured lacquer sticks to wrapping.

Damp timber can warp the lid or grow mould in transit. Agree the holder sample, lining, moisture specification and packing before production, then repeat fit and finish checks on arrival. Keep affected cases separate while documenting defects and agreeing corrective action with the supplier.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.