Sourcing artists' glass paints from China
Artists' glass paints from China under heading 3213 pay 0% UK duty, whether supplied in sets or separately, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Hazardous formulations need hazard labelling in Great Britain. Agree glass adhesion and curing performance before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources artists' glass paints.
0% duty on sets and separate colours
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3213 covers artists', students' and signboard painters' colours and similar preparations in tubes, jars, bottles and other listed packings. Artists' glass paints qualifying for this heading fall under 3213 10 00 00 when supplied in sets, or 3213 90 00 00 otherwise. Both lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded.
Both lines have waste import and export controls attached. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For discarded paint or material of uncertain waste status from China, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipment. The attached control should not be treated as a routine consent requirement for new paint.
The table repeats the available codes for different glass-paint formats; these are product examples, not additional tariff subdivisions. Confirm the formulation, intended use and packing through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see artists' acrylic paints.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artists' transparent glass paints in sets | 3213 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Artists' glass paints in individual bottles | 3213 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the glass, finish and curing method
Specify water-based or solvent-based paint, transparent or opaque finish, approved colour swatches, container fill and the glass surface to be decorated. Agree surface preparation, application method and whether the coating air-dries or needs heat curing. Ask for written curing instructions and approve painted samples on the actual glass you intend customers to use.
Request formulation information and the safety data sheet for each colour, then review chemical classification and UK REACH registration coverage with your adviser. Hazardous artists' paints need hazard labelling under GB CLP. Labels and packaging must be correct before sale in Great Britain. Agree evidence for any washing or dishwasher claim rather than accepting a claim based only on appearance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 artists' glass-paint sets under 3213 10 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,000, so it is £5,400. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Colour and transparency: compare cured samples with approved glass swatches in transmitted and reflected light; check haze, streaks, bubbles and uneven coverage.
Adhesion and curing: follow the supplied preparation and curing instructions, then check scratching, rubbing and washing against the agreed acceptance criteria.
Paint condition and packing: open sampled containers, check separation and remixing, look for dried skins or lumps, and inspect closures for leakage.
Documents and labels: match colour names, batch references, safety data sheets and label artwork to the approved formulation; confirm the chemical label review before release.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A colour can match in the bottle but look too dark or cloudy on glass. Poor adhesion, incompatible surface preparation or unclear curing instructions can leave a coating that peels or washes off. Samples should use the intended glass and the same application method as the finished product.
Other failures include leaking caps, paint drying around the closure, sediment that will not remix and formulation changes between batches. Keep approved painted samples and require approval before ingredient substitutions. Do not infer washing durability or suitability for drinking vessels from a decorative sample.
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 artists' glass paints from China?
Under heading 3213, sets and separately packed artists' glass paints both carry 0% duty. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do water-based glass paints need hazard labels?
Water-based wording does not establish the hazard classification. Review the actual formulation and safety data sheet. Hazardous artists' paints need hazard labelling under GB CLP.
How do I check whether glass paint is washable?
Paint the intended glass, follow the agreed curing instructions and test the claimed washing conditions. Compare adhesion and appearance with approved samples before accepting the batch.
Does the tariff waste control apply to new glass paint?
Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. The tariff attaches waste controls to both codes; ask your customs broker to confirm requirements for discarded paint or uncertain waste status.