Sourcing foundry mould coatings from China
Alcohol-based foundry mould coatings entered as foundry auxiliary products carry 6% UK duty from China, with no recorded trade remedy or suspension on the relevant line. Mixtures placed on the Great Britain market must meet chemical classification and labelling rules. Cambridge China Bridge sources alcohol-based foundry mould coatings.
Duty on alcohol-based foundry mould coatings
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3824 covers prepared foundry binders and chemical preparations not elsewhere specified. The supplied line for foundry auxiliary products, 3824 99 65 00, carries 6% duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows coating variants against that same line, subject to confirmation of the formulation and use.
The tariff attaches an import waste control to this line. Confirm its relevance to the shipment with your customs broker. For material from China shipped as waste to England under notification controls, consent from the dispatch, destination and transit authorities is needed before shipping. The supplied record also lists export controls concerning dangerous chemicals, waste, and goods for torture and repression; ask the broker to review these before any return shipment.
Provide the refractory composition, alcohol carrier, binder, safety data sheet and intended foundry use when confirming the commodity code. A mould coating should not be described simply as a core binder. For the wider heading, see our concrete admixtures and dry-mix mortars guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundry auxiliary products: alcohol-based graphite mould coatings | 3824 99 65 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the refractory, carrier and application
Specify graphite, zircon, alumina or the agreed refractory blend; alcohol identity; solids content; particle size; density; viscosity test method; and settling and redispersion behaviour. State the casting alloy, sand and binder system, and whether the coating will be brushed, dipped or sprayed. Agree dilution instructions, dry coating thickness and drying method against a retained approved sample.
Mixtures placed on the Great Britain market must be classified and labelled under GB CLP. A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for workplace use. Request an English sheet matching the actual formulation, together with flash-point information, storage advice and the carrier's acceptance of the proposed drums and shipment.
Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration obligations apply to your imports. Review the substances in the coating and their annual imported quantities, rather than relying on a generic supplier certificate. Registration is per substance and per legal entity.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 kg of alcohol-based foundry mould coating, illustrative order under 3824 99 65 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,500. Duty at 6% is £330. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,830, so it is £1,166. Import taxes total £1,496; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £330 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Batch: compare the batch certificate with agreed solids, density, viscosity and refractory composition; keep a sealed retained sample.
Suspension: check settling, hard sediment, redispersion and consistency after mixing using the agreed method.
Application: trial the coating on your sand and binder system; check coverage, dry adhesion, cracking and casting surface defects.
Drums and documents: check seals, leaks, net contents, batch identification and remaining shelf life; match the labels and safety data sheet to the supplied formulation.
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What goes wrong
A sample can coat well while the production batch settles into hard sediment or has different viscosity. Unapproved refractory or solvent substitutions can change application and drying behaviour. A coating that cracks or rubs off after drying can leave exposed sand; trial castings should assess burn-on, penetration and surface finish.
Leaking closures, solvent loss and paperwork for a different formulation create arrival problems. Agree batch acceptance tests and have the carrier review the formulation and packing before loading. Use our quality inspection guide to define what the inspector should record.
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 alcohol-based foundry mould coatings from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 6% for foundry auxiliary products under 3824 99 65 00, with no recorded trade remedy or suspension. Confirm that the formulation belongs in this line.
Do alcohol-based foundry coatings need a safety data sheet?
Yes, when classified as hazardous and supplied for workplace use. Request a sheet matching the actual alcohol, refractory and binder formulation.
Which coating specifications should I give the Chinese factory?
State the casting alloy, sand and binder system, refractory blend, alcohol carrier, solids, viscosity method, application method and drying process. Approve a sample through your own casting trial.
How do I check a coating batch on arrival?
Check drum seals and batch identity, then test solids, density, viscosity and redispersion against the agreed specification. Trial application and casting performance before releasing the batch for production.