Sourcing bubble bath from China
Bubble bath from China under commodity code 3307 30 00 00 carries 6% UK duty, with no duty variation among the bubble bath formats shown. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a cosmetic safety assessment and confirm UK Responsible Person and product notification requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources bubble bath.
UK duty on bubble bath
Heading 3307 includes bath preparations alongside shaving preparations, deodorants and other toilet preparations. Bubble bath falls within the line for perfumed bath salts and other bath preparations. The table shows bubble bath formats sharing the same commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. For the wider bath-preparation category, see bath salts.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, the bubble bath line carries 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. They attach an export control of mercury to this line; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to any proposed export. Import VAT is 20%.
Confirm the commodity code against the formulation, intended use and presentation before ordering. Do not assume a shower gel and a preparation added to bathwater share a classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid bubble bath | 3307 30 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the formula, foam and bottle
Write down whether the product is added to running bathwater, its intended users, fragrance, colour, viscosity and dosing instructions. Agree a foam comparison method using the approved sample, consistent water conditions and the intended dose. Check how readily the product pours and disperses, rather than approving it on fragrance alone.
Get the full quantitative formula disclosed to your safety assessor under confidentiality. For sale in Great Britain, arrange the safety assessment and confirm with the relevant authority the UK Responsible Person, product information file and notification requirements before placing the product on the market. Ingredient restrictions and supportable claims matter. Agree testing and certification around the actual formulation and packaging.
Specify fill quantity, closure, seal, bottle material and label finish. Test the filled pack for leakage and compatibility with the formula. Keep an approved sample and require approval before changes to fragrance, preservative, surfactant or packaging.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of bottled bubble bath under 3307 30 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 6% is £396. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,996, so it is £1,399.20. Import taxes total £1,795.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £396 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Formula and batch: match the batch documentation to the approved formula and check the agreed microbiological and stability results.
Foam and appearance: compare colour, fragrance, viscosity, dispersion and foam persistence with the retained sample under the agreed method.
Fill and seals: check fill quantity, cap fit, seal integrity and leakage after handling; inspect cartons for wet patches.
Labels: check ingredients, batch identification, durability information, function, precautions and the Responsible Person's name and address against approved artwork.
What goes wrong
A fresh sample can foam well while production differs in viscosity, scent or preservation. Fragrance changes can also affect the formula and pack. Treat an unexplained change as a reason to hold the batch for review, rather than accepting a supplier's statement that it is equivalent.
Loose caps, incompatible seals and poorly bonded labels turn a liquid order into leaking cartons and unreadable stock. Inspect filled bottles and retain batch samples. Complete the safety assessment and confirm any pre-sale notification requirements with the relevant authority, rather than treating arrival at the warehouse as permission to launch.
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 bubble bath from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 6% duty under 3307 30 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. Import VAT is 20%.
Do I need a Responsible Person to sell bubble bath?
For sale in Great Britain, cosmetic products need a safety assessment before being made available. Confirm with the relevant authority the requirements for a Responsible Person with a UK-established address and product notification.
Can I put my own brand on Chinese bubble bath?
Yes, but settle the Responsible Person arrangement, formula disclosure, safety assessment and label artwork before production. Your brand does not replace the cosmetic safety paperwork.
How do I check bubble bath quality before shipment?
Compare production with a retained sample for foam, viscosity, fragrance and colour. Check agreed batch test results, fill quantity, seals and leakage using the actual filled bottles.