Sourcing industrial paint markers from China
Industrial paint markers with porous tips from China carry 2% UK duty; eligible separate tips have suspensions, giving a selected-line range of 0% to 2%. Importers are responsible for chemical classification, and hazardous paint supplied for workplace use needs a safety data sheet. Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial paint markers.
Duty on paint markers and separate parts
Heading 9608 covers pens, markers and their parts. Industrial paint markers with felt or other porous tips fall within 9608 20 00 00. The table also covers separate replacement tips and other marker parts; these are different goods from finished markers. See the wider pens and markers guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, the selected lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Separate tips under 9608 91 00 10 and 9608 91 00 20 have a 0.00 % autonomous suspension. Its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing those products; do not apply it to finished markers.
The supplied tariff facts attach CITES import controls to finished markers and other parts, and CITES export controls to the selected lines. Permits are required for species listed in Annex A, B or C; check any animal or plant-derived material. Ask your customs broker to confirm the China shipment requirements and any export implications. Confirm the commodity code from the tip construction and whether you import complete markers or separate parts.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished industrial paint markers with porous tips | 9608 20 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Replacement felt and porous marker tips without an internal canal | 9608 91 00 20 | 2% | None |
| Non-fibrous plastic pen tips with an internal canal | 9608 91 00 10 | 2% | None |
| Other marker parts, including caps and clips | 9608 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify paint, valve action and working surfaces
Specify water-based or solvent-based paint, colour, opacity, tip material and shape, line width, valve action, mixing method and cap seal. Name the actual surfaces: bare steel, painted metal, glass, plastic or timber. Send representative surface samples and agree checks for drying, adhesion, abrasion and legibility. Treat heat resistance and resistance to oils or cleaning fluids as claims to test on the intended surface.
Chemical classification is the responsibility of suppliers, including importers. Obtain the paint formulation and have its classification assessed before approving the order. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet. Ask for a sheet matching the actual formulation and colour, and have the proposed hazard labelling and packaging reviewed alongside it.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: cartons of industrial paint markers for a trade supplier under 9608 20 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,700. Duty at 2% is £74. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,774, so it is £754.80. Import taxes total £828.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £74 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Paint flow: mix and prime sampled markers using the proposed instructions; check hard starts, flooding, line continuity and opacity on the agreed surfaces.
Adhesion: let marks dry under the agreed conditions, then check rubbing, scratching and exposure to the oils or cleaning fluids claimed in the specification.
Seals and tips: check cap fit, valve return, tip retention and leakage after warm storage in different orientations; repeat the writing check after storage.
Identity and packing: match colour, tip shape, batch identification and instructions to the approved sample; compare the safety data sheet with the supplied paint. Check carton counts and transit damage at inspection.
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What goes wrong
A marker can write well on clean glass yet rub off painted steel or refuse to mark an oily component. Pigment settling can leave a pale first mark, while a sticking valve floods the tip. Loose caps let paint dry out, and poorly retained tips can pull out during use. Approve samples on the buyer's actual surfaces rather than paper alone.
A changed solvent or pigment can alter drying, adhesion and the safety information. Keep the approved formulation tied to the production order, request notice of substitutions, and compare arrival samples with retained approval samples. Investigate leaking or mismatched stock before releasing it to customers.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on industrial paint markers from China?
Finished porous-tipped paint markers carry 2% duty under 9608 20 00 00. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Eligible separate tips have a 0.00 % suspension; finished markers do not.
Do industrial paint markers need a safety data sheet?
Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet. Obtain the actual paint formulation and assess its classification; request a sheet matching the supplied paint.
How do I check whether paint markers work on metal?
Use samples of the actual metal and its coating. Check priming, opacity, drying and adhesion, then rub or expose the mark to the oils and cleaning fluids specified for its intended use.
Can spare marker tips use the duty suspension?
Separate tips matching 9608 91 00 10 or 9608 91 00 20 have a recorded 0.00 % suspension, subject to its footnote. Check the tip construction and conditions with your customs broker.