Sourcing hair conditioners from China
Hair conditioners from China carry 0% UK import duty under the other hair preparations line. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange cosmetic notification by the Responsible Person and confirm the UK-address, cosmetic safety assessment and product information file requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources hair conditioners.
UK duty on hair conditioners
Heading 3305 covers preparations for use on the hair. Ordinary hair conditioners fall within other hair preparations, code 3305 90 00 00. The table shows conditioner formats sharing that code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 October 2026, the supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions listed. Import VAT is 20%. The tariff attaches an export control of mercury; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to the formulation and shipment.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual formula and function before ordering. The beauty and personal care guide explains the wider cosmetics obligations. The selling requirements here concern Great Britain.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rinse-out hair conditioners | 3305 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the conditioner and its dispensing pack
Specify rinse-out or leave-in use, intended hair type, fragrance, colour, viscosity and the conditioning feel against an approved sample. Agree fill quantity and tolerance, bottle or jar material, closure, pump performance and the label artwork. Require approval before the factory changes the formula, fragrance or packaging.
Secure the full quantitative formula for the safety assessor under confidentiality. Before sale, confirm the UK Responsible Person, safety assessment and product information file requirements with the relevant authority. The Responsible Person must notify the product before it is made available in Great Britain. Ask for stability, microbiological and packaging compatibility evidence for the actual formulation.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business order of bottled rinse-out conditioner under 3305 90 00 00, invoiced at £3,305 free on board, with £1,272 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,577. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,577, so it is £915.40. 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
Formula and batch: match production records and batch identification to the approved formula and retained sample; investigate changes in colour, fragrance or texture.
Conditioning performance: compare application, rinsing, wet combing and residue with the approved sample using the agreed method.
Fill and packaging: check fill quantity, seals, cap fit, pump dispensing and leakage; inspect filled packs rather than empty packaging samples.
Labels and documents: check ingredients, function, warnings, durability marking and the Responsible Person's name and address against approved artwork; confirm the safety report and notification are complete before sale.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A sample can feel acceptable while the production batch separates, changes fragrance or leaves excessive residue. A thick conditioner may also fail to dispense through the selected pump. Keep an approved sample and test the filled pack with the production formula.
A supplier's ingredient list is insufficient for a formulation-based safety assessment. Establish confidential disclosure before committing to production. Printing labels before the formula and safety assessment are settled can leave stock needing replacement artwork.
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 hair conditioner from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty under 3305 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Import VAT is 20%.
Do I need a UK Responsible Person to sell hair conditioner?
Confirm the UK-established-address requirement and responsibility for the safety assessment and product information file with the relevant authority before sale.
Can I sell conditioner using the factory's ingredient list?
An ingredient list alone does not replace the safety assessment. Obtain the full quantitative formula for the assessor, confirm the product information file requirements with the relevant authority, and arrange notification before sale.
What should I check on a conditioner sample?
Check conditioning feel, rinsing or leave-in residue, fragrance, viscosity and colour against your specification. Test the actual filled container for leakage, dispensing and compatibility.