Sourcing FEP resin from China

FEP duty and the suspension boundary

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 3904 covers polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms. For FEP, check the other-fluoropolymer line 3904 69 80 99 against the supplier's composition. The table describes purchasing forms sharing this candidate code, rather than separate tariff lines. See the wider resin guide.

The supplied line carries 6% duty for China and records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Its 0% suspension names particular other polymers and a specified solution, not FEP generally, and excludes mixtures and preparations. The tariff also attaches import and export waste controls. For material offered as waste or scrap from China, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipment.

Give your broker the polymer composition, physical form, additives and virgin or recovered status to confirm the commodity code. For notified waste imports into England, the exporter starts the consent process with the authority in the dispatch country. Shipment can begin only after consent from the Environment Agency and other competent authorities involved.

Specify FEP composition and melt flow

Specify fluorinated ethylene propylene resin explicitly, with the manufacturer's grade and the intended extrusion, moulding or coating process. Ask for polymer composition and a declaration of pigments, fillers, processing aids and recovered content. Agree melt-flow acceptance criteria and the test conditions, particle form, contamination limits and the batch certificate fields.

HSE states that polymers are exempt from UK REACH registration. Ask your chemical adviser to check the monomers, additives and import arrangements for the exact formulation. Request the supplier's safety data sheet and handling guidance. For food-contact applications, confirm the applicable requirements with the relevant authority; request a declaration naming the grade and intended use.

Approve a sample on your own processing equipment before accepting the production grade. Record surface finish, extrusion stability, colour and the finished part's performance against your application brief. Agree that a grade or formulation change needs your approval.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of FEP resin granules under 3904 69 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: check bag labels, manufacturer, grade and batch references against the purchase order and batch certificate.

Processing: check melt-flow results and their test conditions against the approved specification; retain a sample from each incoming lot.

Cleanliness: check granules or powder for foreign particles, black specks, discolouration and mixed material.

Packing: check seals, damaged bags, evidence of water ingress and pallet condition before releasing stock. Use an agreed inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A supplier substitutes another fluoropolymer or a different FEP grade while keeping a similar commercial description. Melt-flow differences then disrupt the approved processing settings, and contamination appears in thin coatings or cable insulation. A certificate without test conditions makes batch comparisons difficult.

Costing also fails when a buyer assumes that another fluoropolymer's suspension covers FEP. Keep the composition evidence with the classification decision. If recovered material is offered, settle its waste status and the attached controls before booking freight.

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.