Sourcing dental investment powder from China

0% duty on plaster-based dental preparations

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3407 covers modelling pastes, specified dental waxes and impression compounds, and other plaster-based preparations for dentistry. This guide focuses on plaster-based dental investment powder used to make casting moulds. The supplied tariff extract contains a single commodity line, so the table lists only that line.

Commodity code 3407 00 00 00 carries 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied extract records no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, tariff suspension or attached import control. Do not apply this rate to a phosphate-bonded formulation without a separate classification check.

Ask the factory for the binder, full composition and intended use, then confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see dental impression compounds.

Specify the binder and casting process

Specify the binder, silica content and form, intended casting alloy, powder-to-liquid ratio, mixing method, working time and setting time. Agree setting and thermal expansion, mould strength, burnout instructions and compatibility with the laboratory's equipment. Ask for batch results and retain an approved sample for comparison.

Agree moisture-resistant packaging, pack weight, storage conditions, shelf life and batch identification. Trial the sample using the laboratory's normal wax patterns and casting process, checking mould integrity, casting dimensions, surface finish and ease of removing the investment.

Before supply in Great Britain, establish the chemical hazard classification and applicable labelling. Hazardous powder supplied for workplace use needs a safety data sheet. Check whether UK REACH registration responsibilities apply. Do not assume that a dental-laboratory material is a medical device; seek a status assessment before agreeing medical-device claims or markings.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A pallet of plaster-based dental investment powder for a dental laboratory, illustrative under 3407 00 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,168 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,668. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,668, so it is £733.60. 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

Documents: check the formulation, safety data sheet, applicable hazard label and batch results describe the powder actually shipped.

Powder and packaging: check for moisture, hard lumps, contamination, leaking seams and damaged inner packs; compare pack weights and batch identification with the order.

Mixing and setting: use the agreed liquid and mixing method; compare consistency, working time, setting time and expansion with the approved sample.

Casting trial: follow the agreed burnout process and inspect mould cracks, casting fit, surface defects and removal of investment. Agree the sampling scope through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

Moisture-damaged powder can form lumps and mix unevenly. Changes in binder, particle distribution or mixing liquid can alter setting and expansion, producing poor casting fit. A mould that cracks during burnout can leave fins or other casting defects. Treat a formulation change as a reason to repeat the casting trial.

A sample can perform well while shipped batches behave differently. Compare arrival samples with retained samples under the same mixing and casting conditions. Resolve mismatched documents, damaged packs and failed casting trials before releasing stock to customers.

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.