Sourcing CAP resin from China
Cellulose acetate propionate resin in primary forms has a 6% UK duty in the supplied tariff data, with no listed suspension or trade remedy. For Great Britain, check UK REACH obligations for monomers and additives rather than assuming polymer exemption covers the whole formulation. Cambridge China Bridge sources cellulose acetate propionate resin.
UK duty on cellulose acetate propionate resin
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3912 covers cellulose and its chemical derivatives in primary forms. Cellulose acetate propionate is a cellulose ester; the relevant candidate line in the supplied data is 3912 90 10 90, other cellulose esters. This focused table contains only that relevant line.
The supplied line carries 6% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension. The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For reclaimed material from China, ask your customs broker to confirm its status and the applicable notification and consent requirements before shipment.
Confirm the chemistry, physical form and formulation through finding your commodity code, especially for resin solutions or blends. Do not apply another cellulose derivative's suspension to this resin. Compare the related ester family in our cellulose acetate butyrate resin guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellulose acetate propionate resin in primary forms | 3912 90 10 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the ester composition and coating behaviour
Specify cellulose acetate propionate explicitly, including acetyl, propionyl and hydroxyl content, viscosity with the solvent, concentration and test temperature stated, moisture, colour and supplied form. Identify any plasticiser, solvent or other additive. Give the factory your intended coating formulation and agree a sample trial for dissolution, clarity, compatibility and film adhesion.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether the polymer qualifies for exemption from UK REACH registration and whether monomers or additives have registration obligations. Obtain the supplier's composition information, safety data sheet and registration position for relevant constituents. Confirm the applicable safety data sheet requirements with HSE; classification and labelling must comply with GB mandatory classification and labelling where relevant. Resolve the formulation's hazard classification before supply.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order: resin in 25 kg lined bags under 3912 90 10 90, invoiced at £1,800 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,300. Duty at 6% is £198. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,498, so it is £699.60. Import taxes total £897.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £198 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: check the producer, grade and batch against the approved sample and certificate of analysis; distinguish propionate resin from butyrate resin.
Composition: check ester content, hydroxyl content, moisture and viscosity against the agreed specification and test method.
Application: dissolve a retained batch sample in your agreed solvent system; check clarity, residue, compatibility and the dried coating.
Packing: check seals, liners, batch labels and signs of moisture or contamination. Record arrival condition and retain samples using your inspection procedure.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A similar product name can hide a different ester composition or viscosity grade. A supplier's viscosity result can also be misleading when the solvent or concentration differs. In your formulation, these differences can show up as incomplete dissolution, haze, altered flow or poor film performance.
Moisture, contamination and undisclosed additives can undermine an otherwise acceptable sample. Agree batch acceptance tests before ordering and repeat the formulation trial on delivered material before releasing it to production.
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 cellulose acetate propionate resin from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 6% for the candidate line 3912 90 10 90, with no listed suspension, anti-dumping duty or countervailing duty. Confirm the classification for your formulation.
Does cellulose acetate propionate resin need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether the polymer qualifies for exemption from registration and whether monomers or additives have registration obligations. Check the constituent substances and your Great Britain importer's obligations.
Can I substitute cellulose acetate propionate for cellulose acetate butyrate?
Do not approve substitution by name alone. Compare ester composition, hydroxyl content and viscosity, then test dissolution, compatibility and film performance in your own formulation.
What should I test when the resin arrives?
Check batch identity, composition, moisture and viscosity by the agreed method. Trial dissolution and coating performance, inspect packaging and retain a batch sample.