Sourcing bismuth vanadate pigments from China
Bismuth vanadate pigment powder from China falls within the residual colouring-matter line carrying 6% UK duty, subject to confirmation of composition. GB buyers should confirm their UK REACH registration position and applicable hazard-labelling requirements with HSE before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources bismuth vanadate pigments.
Bismuth vanadate pigment duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3206 covers other colouring matter and specified preparations. For bismuth vanadate pigment powder, the candidate residual line is 3206 49 70 90, carrying 6% duty on goods from China. The table shows intended uses sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. See the wider pigments guide for other products within the heading.
The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on this line. Its suspension is restricted to specified Pigment Black 12 goods, so it does not provide relief for bismuth vanadate. The tariff also attaches waste import and export controls and an export control on dangerous chemicals. For pigment waste subject to notification controls entering England from China, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in the dispatch country for consent. Confirm the applicable controls with your customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the complete composition, surface treatment and supplied form. A finished paint or a preparation with a different basis needs its own classification check. Keep the supplier's composition statement with the specification and customs documents.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismuth vanadate pigment powder for coatings | 3206 49 70 90 | 6% | None |
Specify shade, treatment and application
Specify bismuth vanadate identity, pigment content, any other colourants, surface treatment and additives. Agree a retained reference sample and acceptance criteria for yellow shade, tinting strength, opacity, particle size, moisture and dispersion. Tell the factory which binder or polymer you use and how the pigment will be processed.
Approve a trial in your actual formulation. For coatings, compare drawdowns and dispersion; for plastics, check colour after the intended processing conditions. Ask for batch certificates of analysis and evidence supporting heat, light and weathering claims rather than accepting a grade name alone.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE the UK REACH registration position for your annual imports per substance, including any applicable only-representative coverage. Registration is assessed per substance and legal entity. Confirm with HSE which labelling and safety data sheet requirements apply to hazardous grades. Check the actual composition rather than assuming every bismuth vanadate grade has the same hazards.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5 tonnes of bismuth vanadate pigment powder; illustrative order and values under 3206 49 70 90, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,000. Duty at 6% is £1,560. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,560, so it is £5,512. Import taxes total £7,072; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,560 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the delivered grade, composition statement and batch certificate to the approved specification; check for undeclared colourants or changes in surface treatment.
Colour and performance: compare full shade, tinting strength and opacity against the retained sample in the agreed formulation; check dispersion and visible specks.
Packing and condition: inspect liners, seals and pallet wrapping on arrival; look for moisture, hard lumps, torn bags and contamination, and weigh sampled bags.
Traceability and paperwork: match bag batch markings to the certificate and retained sample; check hazard labels and safety data sheets where required. Use an agreed inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A yellow powder can look similar to the approved sample yet give a different shade or tinting strength in the buyer's formulation. A change in treatment or particle characteristics can affect dispersion, leaving specks or requiring a different processing method. Test the delivered batch in the intended binder or polymer before releasing it to production.
Moisture-damaged bags can produce hard lumps and inconsistent dosing. Incomplete composition records also make classification and chemical checks harder. Agree batch acceptance tests, retain samples and require approval before formulation or treatment changes.
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 bismuth vanadate pigments from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 6% for residual colouring matter under 3206 49 70 90. Confirm that the pigment's composition and supplied form fit this line.
Does the tariff suspension cover bismuth vanadate?
No. The suspension recorded under the residual line is restricted to specified Pigment Black 12 goods. It is not a general suspension for yellow inorganic pigments.
Do I need UK REACH registration for imported pigment?
Confirm your registration position for Great Britain with HSE, taking annual imports per substance into account. Check whether the manufacturer's UK only representative covers your imports.
How do I check whether a batch matches my approved pigment?
Compare shade, tinting strength, opacity and dispersion in your actual formulation against a retained sample. Match batch markings to the certificate and inspect bags for moisture and lumps.