Sourcing ethylene-propylene elastomers from China
Ethylene-propylene copolymer elastomers from China can attract 0% to 6% UK duty, depending on classification and narrowly defined suspensions. Confirm polymer composition rather than relying on the supplier's elastomer name. Confirm the UK REACH registration position for the polymer and its monomers with HSE. Cambridge China Bridge sources ethylene-propylene copolymer elastomers.
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6% standard duty, with specific suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3902 covers polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms. For ethylene-propylene copolymer elastomers, confirm composition, polymer structure and supplied form before choosing a line. The table shows classification candidates and a separate liquid-grade comparator, rather than interchangeable descriptions. See the wider polypropylene and olefin polymers guide.
The selected lines have 6% standard duty for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Listed products under 3902 30 00 95 and 3902 30 00 97 have zero-duty suspensions. Under 3902 30 00 99, the suspension covers a specified polystyrene and ethylene-propylene block copolymer. Suspension footnotes exclude mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these products. The residual suspension under 3902 90 90 99 describes specified poly-alpha-olefins, so do not assume it covers your elastomer.
The tariff attaches an import waste control to these lines. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For waste material from China, confirm the applicable procedure with your customs broker before shipping; waste plastics outside the permitted simplified category require notification and consent. Obtain composition and grade documentation to confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other propylene copolymers, including eligible ethylene-propylene grades | 3902 30 00 99 | 6% | None |
| Listed ethylene-propylene and polystyrene block copolymer | 3902 30 00 95 | 6% | None |
| Other olefin polymers, where composition supports this classification | 3902 90 90 99 | 6% | None |
| Listed liquid ethylene-propylene copolymer, a separate liquid-grade comparator | 3902 30 00 97 | 6% | None |
Specify composition and elastic behaviour
Specify ethylene and propylene content, polymer structure, density, hardness, tensile strength, elongation, elastic recovery and processing behaviour. State whether the material is an unmodified copolymer or contains styrene blocks, oil, fillers or other polymers. Agree test methods and acceptance limits against the grade you already process.
Ask for the technical datasheet, batch analysis, additive declaration and a retained sample. Compare melt flow only under matching test conditions. Run a trial in your actual compound or moulding process to check dispersion, surface tack and recovery after deformation.
Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration or any exemption applies to the polymer, monomers and additives in the actual grade. Check the supplier's registration position and request a safety data sheet. Do not assume that a claimed polymer exemption settles the position of everything in the grade.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of unsuspended ethylene-propylene copolymer pellets under 3902 30 00 99, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,000. Duty at 6% is £1,680. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,680, so it is £5,936. Import taxes total £7,616; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,680 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match bag labels, grade designation and batch analysis to the approved composition, including any oil or filler.
Properties: sample across the delivered lots and compare flow, density, hardness and elastic recovery using the agreed methods.
Contamination: spread pellets on a clean tray and check for foreign polymers, black specks, fines and agglomeration.
Packing: check sealed liners, damaged bags, moisture exposure and batch traceability before releasing stock. Use the inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A supplier's replacement grade may have similar hardness but different flow, tack or recovery. Added oil or filler can alter performance and undermine a claimed tariff suspension. Mixing lots before testing makes the source of a processing defect harder to identify.
Approve a production sample and process trial before committing to repeat supply. Keep delivered lots separate until their identity and properties are checked. Do not treat a liquid ethylene-propylene copolymer specification as evidence that a solid elastomer belongs on the same tariff line.
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 ethylene-propylene elastomers from China?
The selected tariff lines carry 6% standard duty. Specific listed products can qualify for 0% suspensions; an ordinary elastomer grade does not qualify merely because it contains ethylene and propylene.
Does an elastomer qualify for the liquid copolymer suspension?
Only if it meets that line's liquid product description and all stated characteristics. A solid elastomer should not be classified there just because its polymer name is similar.
Are these polymers exempt from UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether registration or any exemption applies to the polymers, monomers and additives. Check the registration position for the actual composition rather than accepting a general polymer exemption statement.
How do I check a Chinese replacement grade?
Compare composition and batch properties using matching test methods, then trial it in your own process. Check elastic recovery, dispersion and surface tack as well as hardness and flow.