Sourcing formulated wood preservatives from China
Formulated wood preservatives from China normally carry 4% to 6% UK duty on the selected lines; narrowly specified preparations may qualify for 0.00 %. Before supply in Great Britain, establish the applicable biocide authorisation or recognised transitional route. Cambridge China Bridge sources formulated wood preservatives.
Wood preservative duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3808 covers formulated insecticides, fungicides and similar preparations. For the selected wood preservative lines, copper-compound fungicides carry 4% duty from China and the other lines carry 6%. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded. The other-fungicides line has a 0.00 % suspension for specified pyrithione preparations, with a footnote excluding mixtures made from different components containing those products. Check the complete suspension wording before claiming it.
The selected lines carry waste import controls. For goods from China treated as waste under notification controls, shipment requires consent from the destination, dispatch and transit authorities. The copper line also carries mercury import controls, which official guidance relates to intentionally added mercury. The pyrethroid line carries fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls. Confirm the mercury and fluorinated-gas requirements for the actual formulation with your customs broker. Waste and dangerous-chemical export controls also appear on relevant lines.
The table identifies possible classifications for wood preservative formulations, rather than a dedicated wood-preservative tariff category. Give your broker the composition, active substances, intended function and packaging to confirm the commodity code. For other products within this heading, see pesticides and disinfectants.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper-compound fungicidal wood preservative preparations | 3808 92 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Diazole- or triazole-based fungicidal wood preservative preparations | 3808 92 50 00 | 6% | None |
| Other fungicidal wood preservative preparations | 3808 92 90 00 | 6% | None |
| Pyrethroid wood insecticide preparations, other than specified technical aerosols | 3808 91 10 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the formulation and timber treatment
HSE identifies wood preservatives as product type 8. Before ordering, establish the applicable product authorisation or recognised transitional route, the active-substance status and the supplier listing where Article 95 applies. Ask HSE whether the Control of Pesticides Regulations approval route applies. Its approval conditions must be followed throughout the supply chain. A factory's composition report is not a substitute for checking the product's regulatory route.
Specify each active substance and its concentration tolerance, the water or solvent carrier, concentrate or ready-to-use form, target fungi or insects, and preventive or remedial treatment. Describe the timber species, intended exposure and application by brush, dipping or pressure treatment. Agree dilution instructions, storage stability, container material, seals and batch documentation. Arrange testing and certification support against the agreed specification.
Review the proposed label and safety data sheet before approving packaging. Confirm with HSE which chemical classification, labelling and packaging rules apply, including whether child-resistant closures and tactile warnings are needed. Keep the formulation, intended users and treatment instructions consistent with the applicable approval documents.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 drums of triazole-based wood preservative concentrate under 3808 92 50 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,000. Duty at 6% is £1,320. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,320, so it is £4,664. Import taxes total £5,984; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,320 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare the batch reference, formulation name and active-substance details with the purchase specification and applicable approval documents.
Composition: obtain a batch assay for each active substance and compare the results with the agreed tolerances; retain a sealed sample.
Stability: inspect for separation, crystals or sediment and check dilution behaviour against the agreed storage and mixing procedure.
Packaging: check seals, leaks, fill quantity and readable labels on arrival; compare the containers and instructions with the approved sample. Use the quality inspection guide to define acceptance checks.
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What goes wrong
An apparently matching active ingredient can distract buyers from checking the actual product's authorisation or transitional route. An unsupported route can leave stock unsaleable. Keep the approval evidence, supplier details, formulation and label together before releasing the order.
Technical failures include low active content, separation after storage, crystals blocking treatment equipment, leaking containers and instructions that do not match the concentrate supplied. Agree batch assays and dilution checks before shipment. Test the application on representative timber rather than judging performance from the liquid's colour.
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 wood preservatives from China?
The selected lines carry 4% for copper-compound fungicides and 6% for the others. The other-fungicides line has a narrowly specified 0.00 % suspension. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Does an approved active substance let me sell the formulation?
Check the actual product's authorisation or recognised transitional route. Active-substance approval alone does not establish that your formulation can be supplied in Great Britain.
What should I ask the Chinese factory to specify?
Ask for active substances and concentration tolerances, carrier, dilution method, target organisms, application method, storage stability, batch assays and the proposed label and safety data sheet.
How do I check a delivery of wood preservative?
Match the batch documents to the order, verify active content, inspect for separation or crystals, check dilution behaviour and inspect containers for leaks, damaged seals and incorrect labels.