Sourcing dental prophylaxis paste from China
UK duty across heading 3306 ranges from 0% to 4%; the dentifrice and other oral-preparation lines relevant to dental prophylaxis paste carry 0%. Confirm regulatory status from the intended purpose and mode of action before choosing the compliance route for Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources dental prophylaxis paste.
Zero duty on the relevant paste lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3306 covers oral or dental hygiene preparations. Dentifrices under 3306 10 00 00 and other preparations under 3306 90 00 00 carry 0% duty for goods from China. Dental floss carries 4%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export control of mercury to these lines. Confirm the requirement and its relevance to your China-to-UK shipment with your customs broker. Do not treat this export-control entry as confirmation of an import restriction on ordinary prophylaxis paste.
The table shows product variants under the dentifrice line, subject to classification confirmation. Give your broker the formula, intended use, claims and packaging to confirm the commodity code. See the tooth powders guide for wider heading context.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine-grit prophylaxis paste, if classified as a dentifrice | 3306 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the abrasive and intended use
Specify abrasive material and particle profile, polishing performance, paste consistency, flavour, fluoride content or absence, cup or tube format, fill quantity and storage conditions. Agree a sample for each grit grade. Ask the factory to document compatibility with the intended polishing cup and any restoration materials mentioned in its instructions.
Confirm regulatory status before approving claims or artwork. Official borderline guidance bases the decision on intended purpose and mode of action. If supplied as a cosmetic in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant authority the requirements for a UK Responsible Person, safety assessment, product information file and notification before supply. Cosmetic guidance also covers products used on the public by professionals.
If classified as a medical device, the manufacturer must meet the relevant marking and conformity assessment requirements, and the device must be registered with the medicines and healthcare products regulator before placement on the Great Britain market. Request the documents for the exact paste and intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative distributor order of assorted-grit dental prophylaxis paste in sealed cups under 3306 10 00 00, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £28,400, so it is £5,680. 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
Abrasive grade: compare each batch with its approved sample and agreed particle profile; check for coarse particles, inconsistent texture and mismatched grit labels.
Formula: match the ingredient and batch records to the approved formula; test claimed fluoride content and assess microbiological quality through testing and certification.
Stability: check for separation, drying, colour change and loss of workable consistency in the final packaging; review evidence supporting the claimed shelf life.
Packing and identification: inspect cup seals, tube closures, leakage and fill consistency; match batch identifiers, storage instructions and approved artwork to the delivered goods.
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What goes wrong
A grit name alone does not define polishing performance. A changed abrasive or uneven particle distribution can produce a paste that behaves differently from the approved sample. Poorly sealed cups can dry out, while separated paste can give inconsistent handling. Keep samples and batch records so a complaint can be traced to the delivered formula.
Do not approve a generic toothpaste dossier for a different prophylaxis formula. Ask for evidence matching the paste, packaging and intended use. Have proposed cleaning, whitening or therapeutic claims reviewed before printing, and agree how formula changes will be approved.
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 dental prophylaxis paste from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for dentifrices under 3306 10 00 00 and other oral preparations under 3306 90 00 00, with no listed trade remedies. Confirm which line covers your paste.
Is dental prophylaxis paste a cosmetic or a medical device?
Confirm the exact product's status from its intended purpose and mode of action. Agree the applicable route before ordering and obtain documents for that formula and use.
What should I specify for the abrasive grade?
Specify abrasive material, particle profile, polishing performance and consistency. Approve samples for each grit grade and agree how production batches will be compared with them.
What should I check when the paste arrives?
Check grit identity, texture, separation, cup seals or tube closures, leakage, fill consistency and batch identifiers. Match the shipment to the approved formula, samples and artwork.