Sourcing greases and cutting fluids from China
Lubricating preparations from China, including greases, soluble cutting fluids, mould release agents, rust preventives and textile and leather treatment oils, pay 4% UK duty, or 6% if they contain 70% or more petroleum oil that is not the basic constituent, with no anti-dumping duty. Hazardous mixtures need CLP labels and a safety data sheet.
Lubricating greases, cutting fluids, release agents and textile oils from China pay 4% or 6% UK duty. CLP labels, COSHH and grease tests explained.
4% or 6% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 3403 covers lubricating preparations, including cutting-oil preparations, bolt or nut release preparations, anti-rust or anti-corrosion preparations and mould release preparations based on lubricants, and preparations for the oil or grease treatment of textiles, leather and other materials. Preparations with 70% or more petroleum oil as the basic constituent are excluded and fall in heading 2710.
Five of the 6 lines carried 4% on goods from China. The exception is 3403 19 10 00 at 6%: preparations containing 70% or more by weight of petroleum oil, but not as the basic constituent. Bio-based lubricants with at least 25% bio-based carbon and at least 60% biodegradability have their own line at 4%. There is no anti-dumping measure and no tariff suspension. Motor oils and base-oil lubricants are covered in our lubricants guide; confirm the commodity code from the composition.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textile, leather and other treatment preparations, containing petroleum oil | 3403 11 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Containing 70% or more petroleum oil, not as the basic constituent | 3403 19 10 00 | 6% | None |
| Bio-based and biodegradable lubricants | 3403 19 20 00 | 4% | None |
| Other, containing petroleum oil | 3403 19 80 00 | 4% | None |
| Textile, leather and other treatment preparations, other | 3403 91 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other (synthetic greases, release agents, cutting fluids) | 3403 99 00 00 | 4% | None |
Chemical labels and workplace rules
Lubricating preparations that meet a hazard classification need labelling, packaging and a safety data sheet under the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, and the substances in them must be registered under UK REACH by the importer where the tonnage requires it. Ask the formulator for the full composition, not only the safety data sheet summary.
Buyers who use metalworking fluids and release agents must control exposure under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, so an accurate safety data sheet and, for water-mixed fluids, guidance on concentration and biocide are part of what you are buying.
Specifying lubricating preparations
Specify the use and base (mineral, synthetic, bio-based), for greases the thickener, NLGI consistency grade, dropping point, base oil viscosity and temperature range, for cutting fluids the type (soluble, semi-synthetic, synthetic), dilution ratio and corrosion protection, for release agents the substrate and carry-over limits, and the packaging, labels and shelf life.
Worked duty example
For a made-up shipment of 18 tonnes of synthetic mould release agent in drums under 3403 99 00 00, add the £2,200 of freight and insurance to the £27,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £29,200. At 4%, duty on these release agents is £1,168; import VAT of £6,073.60 is 20% of the value with duty added. Together that is £7,241.60, but a VAT-registered importer usually gets the VAT back. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.
Inspection checklist
Documents: check the safety data sheet and CLP label match the formulation, and that petroleum oil content supports the commodity code declared.
Grease tests: measure cone penetration to ISO 2137 to confirm the NLGI grade and dropping point to ISO 2176, and compare colour and texture with the approved sample.
Fluid tests: check emulsion stability and pH at the stated dilution, corrosion on a cast iron chip test, and fill weights, drum seals and batch dates.
What goes wrong
Lubricant orders fail on formulation, labelling and classification. The NLGI grade or dropping point drifts from the sample, cutting fluids split or smell after weeks in the sump, release agents leave residue that ruins paint adhesion, labels miss a hazard, and a petroleum-heavy product is declared at 4% instead of 6%, or should be in 2710.
Test each batch against the sample and check the composition before entry. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources greases, cutting fluids and release agents for UK distributors and manufacturers, checking the blender's laboratory first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on grease from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, most lubricating preparations of heading 3403 carried 4% from China; those with 70% or more petroleum oil not as the basic constituent carried 6%.
When is a lubricant in heading 2710 instead?
When petroleum oil of 70% or more by weight is its basic constituent.
Do cutting fluids need a safety data sheet?
Yes if they are classified as hazardous under CLP, and users need one to meet COSHH duties.
Is there a lower rate for bio-based lubricants?
They have their own line, 3403 19 20 00, at 4%.