Sourcing hair styling gel from China
Hair styling gel from China normally falls under other hair preparations, with UK duty of 0%; the supplied heading also has a flat 0% rate. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a UK Responsible Person, a cosmetic safety assessment, the product information file and notification. Cambridge China Bridge sources hair styling gel.
UK duty on hair styling gel
Heading 3305 covers preparations for use on the hair. Non-aerosol styling gel normally belongs under other hair preparations, 3305 90 00 00. The table shows packaging variants under that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications. For the wider heading, see the hair masks guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 October 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension. Import VAT is 20%. The tariff attaches an export control of mercury. Official guidance says controls apply where mercury has been intentionally added; ask your customs broker to confirm whether the attached measure affects your formulation.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual formulation and intended use before ordering. Do not classify styling gel as hair lacquer simply because both products hold hair in place.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair styling gel in tubes | 3305 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the gel formula, hold and pack
Define hold strength, drying behaviour, shine, fragrance, colour and wash-out performance against an approved sample. Agree how to assess flaking after brushing and tackiness after drying. Specify viscosity and the test conditions, fill quantity, tube or jar material, closure and seal. Test dispensing with the actual gel, especially through pump packs.
Confirm that the factory will disclose the full quantitative formula confidentially to your qualified safety assessor. For sale in Great Britain, complete the safety assessment and confirm with the Office for Product Safety and Standards the applicable arrangements for a Responsible Person with a UK established address, the product information file and notification before making the product available. Have the preservative system and label artwork reviewed before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of packaged hair styling gel 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
Performance: compare production samples with the retained gel for hold, drying, shine, tackiness, brushing residue and wash-out.
Batch quality: check viscosity, colour, fragrance and separation against the specification; match batch reports and agreed microbial and stability testing to the supplied formula.
Packaging: check fill quantity, tube seals, jar liners and cap fit; test leakage and dispensing with filled packs.
Labels and traceability: check ingredients, function, warnings, durability marking, batch identification and the Responsible Person's name and address against approved artwork.
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What goes wrong
A sample can hold well while production gel flakes, stays sticky or separates. A thicker batch may also stop a pump dispensing properly. Record the approved formula, performance checks and packaging together, and require approval before any substitution.
A factory's ingredient list is not the quantitative formula needed for the safety assessment. If formula disclosure is missing or safety paperwork is unfinished, confirm with the Office for Product Safety and Standards whether the stock can be sold in Great Britain. Resolve these points before committing to printed packaging.
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 styling gel from China?
The supplied tariff line for other hair preparations, 3305 90 00 00, carries 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT is 20%.
Do I need a Responsible Person to sell hair gel in Great Britain?
Cosmetics need a safety assessment before sale. Confirm with the Office for Product Safety and Standards the applicable arrangements for a Responsible Person with a UK established address, a product information file and notification before sale.
What formula information should a hair gel factory provide?
Arrange confidential disclosure of the full quantitative formula to your qualified safety assessor. A retail ingredient list alone is insufficient for the assessment.
How do I check hair styling gel before shipment?
Compare hold, drying, tackiness and flaking with your approved sample. Check batch reports, fill quantity, leakage, dispensing and label artwork.