Importing from China
China makes bags and leather goods of every kind — crossbodies, backpacks, wallets, pouches — and buying at source pays off. But in this category one risk overrides all others: intellectual property. Copying brand logos or designs is the fast track to customs seizing and destroying your goods. On top of that, if there is leather, REACH (chromium VI) comes into play, and if there is exotic skin, the CITES convention. Here is how it ships, how it is classified and the critical points to import bags with peace of mind.
Bags are light and bulky (lots of space, little weight), so volume (CBM) drives the cost. The usual route is sea freight: a full container (FCL) for large brand or store orders, or groupage (LCL) for smaller quantities, sharing a container with other importers.
Air freight only makes sense for samples or urgent seasonal collections. Mind the packaging: inner filling to hold the shape, a dust bag and good palletising prevent deformation, scuffs and damp after weeks in a container. Leather is sensitive to moisture, so protect it well.
Bags and leather goods are usually classified under HS 4202 (trunks, suitcases, handbags, wallets and similar containers). The duty on entry into the EU is moderate and varies by the outer material (leather, plastic, textile), so confirm the exact code with your broker. Import VAT is recoverable if you import as a business with your EORI and the declaration is in your name.
Beyond the customs paperwork, the material sets the requirements: leather bags are subject to REACH, with attention to chromium VI. And if the product uses exotic skins (reptile, etc.), it may need CITES import/export permits. Ask the supplier for the material documentation before shipping.
This is the big danger in the category. Copying logos, monograms or brand designs gets customs to seize and destroy the goods (with possible penalties). Always work with your own design or under licence; steer clear of "inspired by" and replicas.
Leather bags fall under REACH, with a strict limit on chromium VI (a skin sensitiser). Ask the supplier for tests or a declaration of conformity: a breach can block the shipment.
If the bag uses skin from protected species (reptile or others), the CITES convention may require import and export permits. Without them, customs holds the cargo. When in doubt, confirm before you buy.
The code and the duty depend on the outer material (leather, PU/plastic, textile): state it clearly on the invoice. And watch leather quality and stitching: a quality check at origin saves costly returns.
To bring in bags, the usual choice is sea freight (FCL or groupage). We also handle customs clearance and classifying the code correctly. Unsure about trademarks, REACH or CITES? Tell us and we will advise you.
Note: duties, REACH, CITES and intellectual-property rules can change and depend on the exact material and destination country. This guide describes the general situation at the time of writing; confirm it with your customs broker before deciding.
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