Sourcing St. Patrick's Day Decorations from China: Tariffs, Suppliers, and US Rules

After two decades of sourcing seasonal goods from China, I’ve learned that timing is everything when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day decorations. Most US buyers don’t realize that orders need to be placed by November or early December to hit the March 17 market—especially for items like shamrock garlands, leprechaun hats, and green-themed party supplies. China’s manufacturing hubs in Putian, Jinhua, and Ningbo dominate this niche, but knowing which factories have the right export experience and quality control for seasonal products can make or break your import profit margins.

Importing St. Patrick’s Day decorations from China – production areas

The most significant number of manufacturers of St. Patrick’s Day-themed goods is in such cities as Putian, Jinhua, Ningbo, and Zibo. As the holiday is not as popular as other holidays that evolved from Christian practice, the numbers are not that impressive. Despite this, there are a lot of options to choose from.

Importing St. Patrick’s Day decorations from China – trade fairs

Attending trade fairs is beneficial to the buyer, as he can meet in person the producer’s representative and see the products by himself. The following list contains selected shows where exhibitors will display festive goods, such as the ones used for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

China International Gifts Premium & Houseware Exhibition

• Location: Beijing – China International Exhibition Center, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
• Official website: giftsbeijing.com

CAC Fair

• Location: Guangzhou – Nan Fung International Convention & Exhibition Center, Guangzhou, China
• Official website: cacfair.com/en/index.html

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair

• Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
• Official website: event.hktdc.com/fair/hkgiftspremiumfair-en/HKTDC-Hong-Kong-Gifts-and-Premium-Fair

Shanghai International Gifts & Home Products Expo

• Location: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Shanghai, China
• Official website: cghe-expo.com

Asian Festive, Christmas & Seasonal Show

• Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
• Official website: asianchristmas.com/en-index.php

Asian Gifts & Premiums Show

• Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
• Official website: asiangnp.com/en-index.php

China Yiwu International Commodities Fair – Yiwu Fair

• Location: Yiwu International Expo Center, Yiwu, China
• Official website: en.yiwufair.com

Canton Fair – China Export And Import Fair Autumn Phase 2

• Location: Guangzhou – China Import and Export Complex, Guangzhou, China
• Official website: cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.aspx

US duty on St. Patrick’s Day products from China

If you import, payment of due duties is unavoidable. The current duty rates are in the HTS system, and it is recommended to check them before ordering goods. The list below presents selected goods together with their codes and the corresponding amount of duty. The rates of duty are currently in force in the USA. It contains products that can come in handy when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

• Festive, carnival, or other entertainment articles, other (9505.90.60) – 0%
• Confetti, paper spirals or streamers, party favors and noisemakers; parts and accessories thereof (9505.90.40) – 0%
• Other printed or illustrated postcards (4909.00.40) – 0%
• Candles, tapers and the like (3406.00.00) – 0%
• Artificial flowers, foliage and fruit and parts thereof; articles made of artificial flowers, foliage or fruit of plastics (6702.10.20) – 8.4%
• Statuettes and other ornamental articles (3926.40.00) – 5.3%
• Beer made from mal (2203.00.00) – 0%
• Non-alcoholic beer (2202.91.00) – 0.2¢/liter

The list could go on and on. As long as the US-China trade war goes on, some goods imported from China to the US are subject to an additional tariff. The 7.5% tariff applies to, for example, subheadings 2202.91.00 (non-alcoholic beer) and 3406.00.00 (candles). The 25% tariff applies to, among many other goods, subheading 2203.00.00 (beer). If the product has an existing 0% duty, the new rate would be 25% or 15%, depending on the applied special tariff.

Importing St. Patrick’s Day products from China – importer’s responsibilities in the US

A credible supplier is essential for the business to flourish. The necessary documents should be prepared and gathered for clearance formalities. It is better to choose a favorable Incoterm, so prepare for the negotiations to persuade the second party to agree with your terms. The supplier can make the import declaration, or you can be the Importer of Record (IOR). Your importer number will be your Social Security Number unless you are a corporation.

Placing on the market a product that is safe for the consumer is the importer’s obligation. You should be mindful of the existing regulations regarding the specific type of product. For example, foodstuff, including beverages, must comply with FDA regulations. Overall, ensure that your product complies with labeling requirements and US safety standards before importing to avoid being prevented entry by US Customs.

Before you place your first order for St. Patrick’s Day decorations, make sure you’ve verified the factory’s compliance with US safety standards and confirmed all applicable tariffs—some festive candles and non-alcoholic beer are hit with 7.5% additional duties. A pre-shipment inspection from a trusted third party like China-Check can catch substandard materials or packaging issues before they reach your warehouse. Whether you’re importing tabletop flags or inflatable leprechauns, getting your supplier vetting and quality control right from day one will save you thousands in return costs and missed sales windows.