Sourcing flexographic printing inks from China
Flexographic printing inks from China normally carry 6% UK duty; a narrowly defined formulation has a 0% suspension. For food packaging, confirm the applicable good manufacturing practice requirements with the Food Standards Agency. Specify the substrate, ink system and drying conditions before approving a press trial. Cambridge China Bridge sources flexographic printing inks.
6% duty, with a narrow formulation suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3215 covers printing, writing, drawing and other inks. Flexographic printing inks fall within its printing-ink branch: black under 3215 11 00 00 and other colours generally under 3215 19 00 90. The table separates water-based and solvent-based products sharing those codes. See the wider inks and cartridges guide.
Both codes carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. Their 0% suspension covers only liquid ink consisting of a dispersion of vinyl acrylate copolymer and colour pigments in isoparaffins, containing no more than 13% by weight of that copolymer and those pigments. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Do not assume ordinary flexographic ink qualifies.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For notified waste entering England, shipment must wait for consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. For ink waste from China, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker before shipment. Confirm the formulation and commodity code before ordering.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black water-based flexographic printing ink | 3215 11 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Coloured water-based flexographic printing ink | 3215 19 00 90 | 6% | None |
Match the ink to the substrate and press
Specify water-based, solvent-based or ultraviolet-curing ink, the substrate and its surface treatment, surface printing or reverse printing, and any later lamination. Agree colour references, opacity, viscosity with its measurement method and temperature, drying or curing conditions, and resistance to rubbing, water or the contents of the pack. Trial the ink on your intended material and press settings.
Before importing a new ingredient, review whether UK REACH registration is required. Everyone in the supply chain is responsible for correct chemical labelling and packaging before market placement. Ask for an English safety data sheet for each formulation. For food-packaging printing inks, confirm the applicable good manufacturing practice requirements with the Food Standards Agency; obtain the substance list and low-migration declaration, and arrange testing of the intended printed packaging.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of coloured flexographic printing ink under 3215 19 00 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,900. Duty at 6% is £774. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,674, so it is £2,734.80. Import taxes total £3,508.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £774 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Batch identity: match container labels, formulation references and batch records to the approved sample and certificate of analysis; retain a sealed arrival sample.
Ink condition: inspect seals and containers for leakage, skinning, sediment or contamination; measure viscosity using the agreed method after the specified mixing procedure.
Print performance: compare shade, strength and opacity on the agreed substrate; check adhesion, rub resistance and drying or curing under the intended press conditions.
Packaging use: check blocking and set-off after stacking or rewinding; for food packaging, match migration evidence to the ink, substrate and intended use. Arrange testing and certification support where needed.
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What goes wrong
A laboratory drawdown can match the colour reference while the production ink transfers poorly through the anilox roller or dries on the plate. An ink that works on paper may adhere poorly to film. Unrecorded changes to resin, pigment or solvent can alter shade, drying and resistance between batches.
Slow drying or incomplete curing can leave blocking, set-off or odour in the finished reel. A low-migration declaration alone does not show how your printed packaging performs. Approve the intended print construction, retain reference samples and agree that formulation changes need your approval.
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 flexographic ink from China?
Normally 6% for black and other-colour printing inks, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. A 0% suspension applies only to the narrowly specified formulation.
Do water-based and solvent-based flexographic inks have different codes?
The relevant tariff split is black versus other printing ink, rather than water versus solvent. Confirm the complete formulation before choosing the code.
Can I use Chinese flexographic ink on food packaging?
Check the intended use against food-contact and good manufacturing practice rules. Obtain formulation information and migration evidence for the actual printed packaging.
What should I test before approving a flexographic ink supplier?
Run a press trial on your intended substrate. Check colour, opacity, viscosity, adhesion, drying or curing, rub resistance and blocking against the approved reference.