Sourcing aftershave balms from China
Aftershave balms from China carry 6% UK duty under 3307 10 00 00, with no duty variation in the supplied tariff lines. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a UK Responsible Person and confirm the safety assessment, product information file and cosmetic notification requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources aftershave balms.
UK duty on aftershave balms
Heading 3307 includes pre-shave, shaving and aftershave preparations, alongside other toilet preparations. Aftershave balms fall within 3307 10 00 00. The table shows balm formats sharing this code; they are not separate tariff subdivisions. See shaving creams and the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, the supplied aftershave line carries 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. Import VAT is 20%. The line lists an export control of mercury, rather than an import control; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to any onward export.
Confirm the product's formulation, presentation and intended use before declaring it. Use finding your commodity code to check the classification rather than relying on the supplier's description.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aftershave balm in tubes | 3307 10 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the balm formula and dispensing pack
Agree fragrance or fragrance-free formulation, colour, viscosity, spreadability, absorption and the residue left after application. Use an approved retained sample as the comparison point. Specify fill quantity and tolerance, tube or pump construction, closure and seal design, and require approval before ingredient or packaging substitutions.
Secure the full quantitative formula for the safety assessor under confidentiality. For sale in Great Britain, arrange the Responsible Person and confirm the safety report, product information file and notification requirements with the relevant authority before launch. Review ingredient restrictions and substantiate claims. Have the formula and artwork reviewed through testing and certification.
Ask for stability, microbiological and preservative performance evidence for the actual formula. Check compatibility using filled packs, including separation, odour changes, tube distortion and pump blockage after storage.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative sample order of 6 retail tubes under 3307 10 00 00, invoiced at £20 free on board, with £6 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26. Duty at 6% is £1.56. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27.56, so it is £5.51. Import taxes total £7.07; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1.56 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Balm: compare colour, odour, consistency and spreading behaviour with the approved sample; look for separation, grit or unexpected residue.
Fill and dispensing: check fill quantity against the agreed tolerance, tube seals, cap fit, leakage and pump priming using filled units.
Artwork: compare ingredient listing, warnings, function, durability information, batch identification and Responsible Person details with approved artwork.
Batch evidence: match received cartons and units to production records and the formula version assessed; retain samples and review the batch test results.
What goes wrong
A smooth sample can become a separated or discoloured balm after transport. A pump approved with a thinner sample can block when production viscosity changes. Test the finished formula in its intended pack and agree acceptance criteria before production.
An undisclosed fragrance or preservative substitution can leave the safety assessment and labels describing a different product. Require approval for changes and update the compliance file for reformulations. Avoid medicinal treatment claims without resolving classification first.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aftershave balm from China?
The supplied tariff line 3307 10 00 00 carries 6% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. Import VAT is 20%.
Do I need a UK Responsible Person for aftershave balm?
Yes, for sale in Great Britain. The Responsible Person must have a UK established address. Confirm their responsibilities for the product information file, safety assessment and notification with the relevant authority.
Can the factory keep the aftershave formula confidential?
Arrange confidential disclosure of the full quantitative formula to your safety assessor. A marketing ingredient list alone is not enough to assess the actual formulation.
What should I check when aftershave balms arrive?
Check separation, colour, odour, fill quantity, tube seals and pump operation. Match batch codes and artwork to the approved formula and review the batch test evidence.