Sourcing car wash shampoos from China
Finished car wash shampoos from China normally carry 4% UK duty under the washing and cleaning preparation lines. Selected surface-active preparations have conditional suspensions, not a blanket shampoo exemption. Detergent rules apply in Great Britain; confirm any applicable hazard requirements with the Health and Safety Executive. Cambridge China Bridge sources car wash shampoos.
Car wash shampoo duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3402 covers surface-active agents and washing and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, excluding products of heading 3401. For car wash shampoos, distinguish finished cleaning preparations from surface-active preparations and retail presentation from bulk supply.
The retail and non-retail washing and cleaning preparation lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The other non-retail surface-active preparation line carries 4%, with a conditional 0.00 % suspension restricted by composition and exclusions. Raw surfactant lines elsewhere in the heading have waste controls attached; an importer considering those lines should confirm the requirement with their customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the full formulation, intended use and packaging rather than the product name. See the industrial degreasers guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail washing and cleaning preparations, including car wash shampoo | 3402 50 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Non-retail washing and cleaning preparations, including bulk car wash shampoo | 3402 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Retail surface-active preparations, where supported by the formulation | 3402 50 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Other non-retail surface-active preparations, where composition supports this line | 3402 90 10 90 | 4% | None |
Specify dilution and paint compatibility
State whether the shampoo is for hand washing, foam application or an automated wash. Agree dilution, water hardness, acidity or alkalinity, viscosity, fragrance, colour and rinsing behaviour. Specify whether it contains wax or other finish additives, and test compatibility with painted panels, plastics, rubber seals and the coatings your customers use.
The Detergents Regulation establishes technical requirements for detergents and their surfactants in Great Britain. Ask for supporting surfactant biodegradability information and review detergent labels and ingredient information before approving artwork. Confirm applicable hazard labelling and packaging requirements, safety data sheet requirements for workplace supply, and any UK REACH registration obligations with the Health and Safety Executive.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 pallets of car wash shampoo in sealed trade containers under 3402 90 90 00, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £1,168 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,368. Duty at 4% is £134.72. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,502.72, so it is £700.54. Import taxes total £835.26; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £134.72 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Formulation: compare batch records, colour, fragrance, viscosity and acidity or alkalinity with the approved sample and agreed test method.
Wash performance: test at the agreed dilution in the buyer's water, checking soil removal, foam behaviour, rinsing and dried residue.
Surface compatibility: check the agreed painted panels, plastics, seals and coatings for staining, dulling or unwanted finish removal.
Packaging and documents: check fill quantity, cap seals, leakage, batch identification and dilution instructions; match the safety data sheet and hazard label to the supplied formulation.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A sample can foam well but leave streaks after drying. Production may arrive thinner, separate in storage or perform differently in hard water. A changed fragrance or surfactant can alter the hazard information, while leaking closures make otherwise acceptable stock difficult to handle.
Approve cleaning and compatibility results at the intended dilution, retain a reference sample and require review before formulation substitutions. Agree batch acceptance checks before production. Our inspection guide explains how to turn the specification into checks.
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 car wash shampoo from China?
The retail and non-retail washing and cleaning preparation lines carry 4% duty, with no recorded trade remedy or suspension. Selected surface-active preparation suspensions depend on composition.
Does car wash shampoo need a safety data sheet?
Confirm with the Health and Safety Executive whether a safety data sheet is required for the hazardous mixture and its intended workplace supply. Ask for it before ordering and check that it matches the formulation and hazard label.
Can I import concentrated car wash shampoo?
Specify its intended application and dilution, then test cleaning, rinsing and surface compatibility at that dilution. Check classification and chemical compliance from the formulation.
How do I check a shampoo is safe for waxed paint?
Agree a compatibility test using representative paint and wax finishes. Compare cleaning, gloss and finish retention with the approved sample; do not accept a claim based only on foam.