Sourcing eyeshadow palettes from China
Eyeshadow palettes from China carry 0% UK import duty under the eye make-up line. Before sale in Great Britain, confirm the Responsible Person, cosmetic safety assessment and notification requirements with the relevant authority, and arrange the product information file. Specify and assess every shade formula. Cambridge China Bridge sources eyeshadow palettes.
UK duty on eyeshadow palettes
Heading 3304 covers beauty, make-up and skin-care preparations, including eye make-up. Eyeshadow palettes belong to the eye make-up line, 3304 20 00 00. The table shows palette formats sharing that code. For other eye make-up within the heading, see our mascara guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the supplied eye make-up line carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. Import VAT is 20%. The snapshot attaches an export control of mercury to this line; confirm its relevance to any onward export with your customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual contents before ordering, particularly if the palette also contains lip or face products. Give your broker the formula descriptions and a photograph of the complete retail pack.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressed-powder eyeshadow palettes | 3304 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify each shade and the palette construction
List the shade names, pan positions, finish and formula for every colour. Approve physical samples for colour, payoff, blending and fallout. Specify pan dimensions, fill weight, pressing firmness, pan attachment, lid closure and mirror finish. Require approval before changes to pigments, binders, fragrance or packaging.
Obtain the full quantitative formulas for the safety assessor under confidentiality. Have colourants and other restricted ingredients reviewed for the intended eye use before approving production. For Great Britain, confirm the Responsible Person, safety report and notification requirements with the relevant authority before sale, and arrange the product information file. The Responsible Person must keep the product information file in English.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business batch of pressed-powder eyeshadow palettes under 3304 20 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,600, so it is £1,320. 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
Shades: compare each pan with its approved sample under consistent lighting; check the shade sequence and printed names.
Powder or cream: check cracking, loose pans, crumbling, excess fallout or separation, as appropriate to the formula.
Palette: check hinges, closure, mirror edges, pan attachment and protection against movement inside the shipping carton.
Documents and labels: match the batch and shade formulas to the approved records; check ingredients, warnings, durability marking and the Responsible Person’s name and address against the approved artwork.
What goes wrong
A visually similar pigment substitution can change the formula behind the safety assessment. A supplier’s generic cosmetics report does not establish that it covers your actual shades. Keep approved formulas and samples tied to the production batch, and arrange review of proposed changes before accepting them.
Pressed pans can crumble or detach during transport even when the showroom sample looks sound. Specify transit checks using filled retail packs and inspect the arriving batch for damage and shade mix-ups. Keep affected stock aside while you agree corrective action with the supplier.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on eyeshadow palettes from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot lists 0% duty for eye make-up under 3304 20 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT is 20%.
Do I need a UK Responsible Person for eyeshadow palettes?
For sale in Great Britain, confirm the Responsible Person, safety assessment and notification requirements with the relevant authority before sale. Settle who will hold the role and arrange the product information file.
What formula information should I ask the factory for?
Ask for the full quantitative formula for every shade, supplied to your safety assessor under confidentiality. A marketing ingredient list is insufficient for the assessment.
How do I check eyeshadow palettes on arrival?
Compare shades with retained samples, check cracked or loose pans, test closures and inspect mirrors. Match batch markings and label artwork to the approved records.