Sourcing Acrylic Rods from China
Acrylic rods from China under 3916 90 50 90 carry a flat 6% UK duty, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. The heading covers rods that may be surface-worked but are not otherwise worked. Specify cast or extruded material and test the intended machining process. Cambridge China Bridge sources acrylic rods.
Acrylic rods: 6% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, heading 3916 covers plastic rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise worked. Acrylic rods fall within the addition-polymer line, 3916 90 50 90. The table shows buying variants of this same commodity line.
The recorded duty for goods from China is 6%. This acrylic line has no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control. Suspensions elsewhere in the heading cover specified PVC profiles and cellular rods, rather than ordinary acrylic rods.
Confirm the material and extent of machining before choosing the commodity code. For other rod materials within the wider heading, see the polycarbonate rods guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear acrylic rods, not otherwise worked | 3916 90 50 90 | 6% | None |
Specify material, clarity and machining
Specify acrylic resin, cast or extruded production, clear or coloured finish, diameter, length, ovality and straightness tolerances. State whether the rods will be displayed, turned, drilled, threaded or bonded. Approve a physical colour and clarity sample, and describe acceptable bubbles, inclusions and surface marks.
Trial the supplied material using your intended tools, adhesive and cleaning method. Ask for the formulation and additive declaration: REACH restrictions address chemical risks in articles as well as substances and mixtures. Check relevant restrictions against the declared composition rather than accepting a generic compliance claim.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 metres of acrylic rod across assorted diameters under 3916 90 50 90, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,500. Duty at 6% is £570. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,070, so it is £2,014. Import taxes total £2,584; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £570 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure diameter around the circumference and along the rod, check straightness against the agreed drawing, and verify usable length.
Optical finish: inspect against contrasting backgrounds for bubbles, haze, inclusions, scratches and colour variation against the approved sample.
Fabrication: drill, turn or bond retained production samples using the intended process; inspect for chipping, cracking and crazing.
Packing: check individual protection, supported bundles, protected ends and batch identification; repeat the surface and straightness checks on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A visually acceptable sample can conceal diameter drift, internal bubbles or material that behaves differently during machining. An unapproved change between cast and extruded stock can undermine the fabrication trial. Cleaning or bonding can expose crazing that was absent on the untouched rod.
Loose bundles rub during transport, while poorly supported rods can arrive bowed. Agree the inspection method and packing with the factory before production, and retain an approved sample for comparison. Use the quality inspection guide to define the checks.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on acrylic rods from China?
The recorded duty under 3916 90 50 90 is 6%, with no listed trade remedy, suspension or attached import control.
Should I buy cast or extruded acrylic rods?
Specify the production method and trial the material using your intended machining and bonding processes. Approve the result before ordering production stock.
How do I check clear acrylic rods?
Compare production rods with the approved sample against contrasting backgrounds. Check haze, bubbles, inclusions, scratches, diameter and straightness.
Does an acrylic rod need chemical compliance checks?
REACH restrictions address chemical risks in articles. Obtain the formulation and additive declaration, then check relevant restrictions against the supplied material.