Sourcing fluoroelastomer rubber from China
Fluoroelastomer rubber in primary forms, if classified within heading 4002, carries 0% UK duty from China, with no duty variation in the supplied tariff lines. Confirm the polymer composition and whether the material is base rubber or a prepared compound before choosing the code. Cambridge China Bridge sources fluoroelastomer rubber.
Duty on primary-form fluoroelastomer rubber
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 4002 covers synthetic rubber in primary forms and other listed forms. This guide concerns fluoroelastomer base rubber rather than finished seals or prepared compounds. The supplied tariff has no separately named fluoroelastomer line. The table shows alternative physical forms against the same provisional residual code, 4002 99 90 00, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Every supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The tariff attaches waste import and export controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For Chinese reclaimed material, scrap or production residues, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirement before shipment; do not assume that a rubber description resolves waste status.
Confirm the commodity code using the polymer composition, technical data sheet, physical form and details of incorporated ingredients. Unvulcanised rubber mixed with fillers or curatives is covered as compounded rubber in the site's published background. For the wider heading context, see the primary-form nitrile rubber guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoroelastomer base rubber in bales, subject to classification | 4002 99 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the polymer and cure compatibility
Specify the polymer family, monomer composition, fluorine content, grade designation, Mooney viscosity and physical form. Identify any incorporated cure-site chemistry, processing aids or other additives. Ask whether the material is base polymer or an already prepared compound, and agree that substitutions require your approval.
Give your compounder the intended service fluids and operating conditions. Compare the proposed grade in your own recipe, including cure behaviour, post-curing conditions, compression set and fluid swelling. Agree acceptance limits and test methods with the factory rather than accepting a general claim of heat or chemical resistance.
Confirm with HSE the UK REACH registration position for the polymer, monomers and additives, including whether any upstream registration covers your imports. Check the actual composition and supply-chain coverage. A safety data sheet is required where a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pilot stock order of fluoroelastomer base rubber in bales under 4002 99 90 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £42,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £42,000, so it is £8,400. 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
Identity: match the manufacturer, grade and batch identifiers on the packaging to the purchase specification and batch certificate of analysis.
Consistency: compare sampled material with the approved batch for Mooney viscosity and agreed composition checks; investigate unexplained differences.
Cure response: compound samples in the agreed recipe and compare cure curves and cured properties, including compression set and fluid swelling where relevant.
Condition: check packaging integrity, contamination, sticking, net weight and storage history. Retain labelled samples and record findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier offers a nominally similar grade whose cure chemistry or viscosity differs from the approved material. The compound then processes differently or fails the intended seal application. A certificate showing typical properties does not establish the properties of the delivered batch.
Prevent disputes by approving material in your compounder's recipe and requiring batch-specific results. Keep base rubber, prepared compound and reclaimed material clearly identified throughout the quotation and shipping documents. Investigate damaged wrapping or contamination before releasing stock to production.
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 fluoroelastomer rubber from China?
The supplied tariff records 0% on every line of heading 4002, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that your particular material belongs in this heading before using that rate.
Which commodity code should I use for fluoroelastomer base rubber?
The supplied facts contain no named fluoroelastomer line. Treat 4002 99 90 00 as a classification candidate, and have your broker check the composition, form and incorporated ingredients.
Can I replace my existing fluoroelastomer grade with a Chinese grade?
Compare polymer composition, cure compatibility and viscosity, then trial it in your own compound recipe. Approve the cured properties for the intended service fluids and conditions before accepting a substitution.
Does the tariff waste control apply to fresh base rubber?
Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For reclaimed material or production residues from China, ask your customs broker to confirm waste status and the applicable import requirement.