Sourcing EBA pellets from China

6% for ordinary pellets; distinguish related resins

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3901 covers polymers of ethylene in primary forms. For ordinary ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer pellets, 3901 90 80 99 is a candidate residual line carrying 6% duty on goods from China. Confirm the full composition before using it. The table includes related materials for comparison, rather than interchangeable grades.

The listed isobutyl acrylate/methacrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate/carbon monoxide terpolymer pellets carry 6%, without suspensions. The related terpolymer salt under 3901 90 30 00 carries 0%. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The suspension attached to 3901 90 80 99 names other polymers; it does not describe ordinary ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer pellets. See the ethylene-methyl acrylate guide for wider heading context.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls to these lines. Ask your customs broker to confirm their application to the proposed China shipment. For imports into England subject to waste notification controls, shipment can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Confirm the commodity code using the producer's composition statement and grade data sheet.

Specify the butyl acrylate grade and processing behaviour

Specify whether the material is an ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer or a terpolymer, and identify the butyl acrylate type and content. Agree melt flow with its test temperature and load, density, additive package, colour, pellet condition and intended application. Record whether the material is virgin, recycled or off-grade, and prohibit substitutions without approval.

Request a grade data sheet, batch certificate of analysis and safety data sheet. Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration obligations apply to the polymer, its monomers or additives. Establish the registration position for the actual composition. Ensure substances and mixtures are correctly labelled and packaged before placing them on the Great Britain market.

Approve a sample in your extrusion, compounding or adhesive process. Compare melt behaviour, adhesion, flexibility and visible defects with your accepted material. Agree sealed packaging, batch identification and retained samples. Check the producer's composition and batch controls through factory verification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5 tonnes of ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer pellets, illustrative only under 3901 90 80 99, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 6% is £1,170. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,670, so it is £4,134. Import taxes total £5,304; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,170 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match bag labels, batch numbers and analysis certificates to the approved grade and composition.

Flow: verify melt flow against the agreed method and acceptance range, then compare processing behaviour with the approved sample.

Cleanliness: inspect pellets for black specks, mixed colours, fines and clumping; check a processed sample for gels.

Packing: check seals, liners, torn bags and contamination on arrival; retain samples by batch. Use a written inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A similar trade name can conceal a different acrylate content, additive package or terpolymer. The replacement may flow differently, bond poorly or change flexibility. Mixed grades, undisclosed recycled material and contamination can produce gels or black specks that are difficult to identify from unopened bags.

Avoid accepting a certificate that covers a different batch or reports melt flow without test conditions. Keep suspect lots separate and trial them before production. A related resin's zero duty or a suspension naming another polymer should not be used to cost ordinary ethylene-butyl acrylate pellets.

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.