How to export adhesives from the UK to China

Match the formulation to the Chinese import route

For adhesives and sealants, agree the classification and sales route with the Chinese importer before quoting. Have its customs broker confirm the requirements for the formulation, packaging and intended use. GACC Decree 280 concerns overseas food manufacturers, so its registration requirement does not apply. The largest UK export line was polymer- or rubber-based adhesives under 35069190, at £12.0m in 2025; that is the whole tariff-line total.

HMRC recorded £18.1m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 321410, 321490, 350610, 350691, 350699 in 2025 (2024: £15.8m, +14.7%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £2.1m. January to July 2026: £9.9m against £10.5m in the same months of 2025 (-5.8%).

Build Chinese duty and VAT into your quotation

The listed Chinese tariff lines have the MFN rates below. Standard import VAT is 13%, subject to statutory exceptions, calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to the adhesive. These border charges add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.

Prepare the UK declaration and check chemical controls

Choose the correct UK commodity code for the adhesive. For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, a GB EORI is required. The online export declaration needs the code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details and invoice and packing list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates.

GOV.UK identifies controlled chemicals, drug precursors and hazardous chemicals as subject to licences and special export rules. Check the adhesive’s formulation against that guidance before committing to supply; the product’s description as an adhesive does not determine which chemical controls apply.

Use cross-border retail only for eligible adhesives

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list covers only part of this range: 35061000 for retail glue packs with net weight ≤1kg each; 35069110 for polyamide-based adhesives; 35069190 for adhesives based on other rubber or plastics; and 35069900 for other prepared adhesives. Match the Chinese line and its description before choosing this route.

Listed goods imported through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles. First-import licence, registration and filing requirements are not applied, except for suspended epidemic-area goods or emergency risk handling. The overseas business retains primary quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company to register with customs, declare truthfully and share civil liability.

Consumers must accept a risk notice before ordering: origin-country standards may differ from Chinese standards, Chinese labels may be absent with a Chinese electronic label available online, and goods are for personal use without resale. The limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person. This route therefore needs a consumer retail proposition for the adhesive.

Find and check an importer before sending stock

Assess a prospective importer’s intended customers and whether it plans distribution or cross-border consumer sales for the adhesive. Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and, for cross-border retail, the cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners in China; the brand’s own filings remain the brand’s. Use our export service to discuss the adhesive and the proposed importer.