Importing Handbags and Backpacks from China to the EU: Duty Rates and Sourcing Locations

Over the past two decades, I've seen new importers jump into the handbag and backpack market without understanding EU customs classifications or where to find reliable factories in China. That's a recipe for unexpected costs and quality headaches. In this guide, I'll break down the duty rates you'll actually pay, the top manufacturing regions to target, and how to source smartly from day one.

Importing handbags and backpacks from China to the EU

Duty rates on handbags and backpacks in the European Union

One of the requirements for importing is paying due duties. When it comes to checking current customs values, it is best to use the TARIC system. TARIC is an official EU website that is always up to date with customs on any products we might think of.

We understand that people unfamiliar with the website could encounter some problems when navigating through it, so we created the list below to show customs on various bags with their HS codes.

• 4202 92 11 00 – Backpacks, sports and travel bags made of plastic film – 9,7%
• 4202 11 10 90 – Briefcases, briefcases, satchels with outer surfaces of leather or composition leather – 3%
• 4202 91 10 – Backpacks, sports and travel bags with outer surfaces of leather or composition leather – 3%
• 4202 12 11 00 – Briefcases, briefcases, satchels with an outer surface made of plastic foil – 9,7%
• 4202 92 91 90 – Backpacks, sports and travel bags made of textiles – 2,7%
• 4202 19 90 90 – Briefcases, briefcases, satchels made of other materials – 3,7%

Where are handbags and backpacks produced in China?

Guangzhou in Guangdong Province has the highest number of bag manufacturers in China. The city is full of modern and specialized factories with qualified workers. This city’s location also has a significant influence on its large number of exports since Guangzhou is one of the main port cities in China.

The second region known for bag production is Quanzhou (Fujian Province). Other places which specialize in bag production, however, are much smaller than those mentioned earlier, are Shaoyang (Hunan), Shenzhen (Guangdong), and Xiamen (Fujian).

Sourcing handbags and backpacks – trade fairs

Trade fairs are a great opportunity for every importer of goods to learn more about the suppliers, manufacturers, and products themselves. As Chinese business culture is known for praising long-term relationships, everyone should know that attending a trade fair is a fantastic option to start this kind of relationship. You can find examples of trade fairs occurring in China annually down below.

All China Leather Exhibition

• Location: Shanghai New International Expo Center
• Official website: aclechina.com

Jewelry & Gem WORLD Hong Kong

• Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
• Official website: jgw.exhibitions.jewellerynet.com

Shanghai Bag Show

• Location: Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC)
• Official website: cshbox.com

Summary

Before you sign any agreement or wire a deposit, take the time to verify your supplier's credentials and inspect your goods for compliance. A reputable third-party provider like China-Check can handle factory audits, quality control, and pre-shipment inspections to ensure your bags meet EU standards and your own specifications. It's a small investment that protects your entire margin.