Sourcing hair pomade from China

UK duty on hair pomade from China

Heading 3305 covers preparations for use on the hair. Hair pomade is a candidate for 3305 90 00 00, other hair preparations, subject to confirmation for the actual formula and use. The table shows pomade variants using that same commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension. The tariff attaches an export control of mercury. Official mercury-added-product guidance concerns products with intentionally added mercury or mercury compounds. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether any mercury-related requirement applies to the actual shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the formulation, presentation and intended use before ordering. Import VAT is 20%. For wider hair-styling coverage under this heading, see the hair styling gel guide.

Specify the pomade base, hold and finish

Specify whether the pomade is water-based or oil-based, its hold, shine, fragrance, colour and ease of washing out. Use an approved sample to define scoopability, spreading through hair, tackiness and residue. Agree fill weight and tolerance, jar material, lid, liner and any seal. Test the actual formula in its intended jar for separation, drying, leakage and pack compatibility.

Obtain the full quantitative formula for the qualified safety assessor under confidentiality. For Great Britain, confirm the Responsible Person, safety report and product information file requirements with OPSS before sale, and complete notification before making the product available. Review ingredient restrictions and label artwork before printing. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual formula and packaging.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of bulk water-based hair pomade; values are illustrative under 3305 90 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,600, so it is £1,320. 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

Texture and performance: compare retained and production samples for scoopability, spread, hold, shine, fragrance and wash-out; check for lumps and oil separation.

Fill and closure: check agreed fill weight, lid fit, liner position, seal condition and leakage; inspect jars for cracks and formula staining.

Labels and traceability: check ingredient listing, durability marking, batch identification, function, warnings and Responsible Person details against approved artwork.

Arrival condition: inspect cartons and jars for leakage, deformation or damage; compare the received pomade with the retained sample before releasing stock.

What goes wrong

A sample can spread well while production stock becomes grainy, separates or dries around the lid. Treat changes to the base, fragrance, preservative system, jar or liner as changes requiring review. Keep retained samples and batch records so a complaint can be traced to the affected production.

Formula secrecy can prevent completion of the safety assessment. Resolve disclosure before committing to printed jars. A matching fragrance or ingredient list does not establish that the production formula matches the assessed product, and relabelling cannot correct an unacceptable formulation.

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.