Sourcing iron blue pigments from China
Iron blue pigments from China carry 0% to 6% UK duty, depending on eligibility for a named pigment suspension. Match the chemical identity and formulation to the tariff footnotes, and establish your UK REACH position before importing. Cambridge China Bridge sources iron blue pigments.
Conditional zero duty or 6%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, heading 3206 includes the named Pigment Blue 27 lines relevant to iron blue pigments. Both have a standard Chinese-origin duty of 6% and a 0% suspension. The line for chemical identity 25869-00-5 also describes preparations containing 85% or more pigment by weight. However, both suspension footnotes exclude mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the pigment. Check eligibility rather than assuming every iron blue grade is duty-free.
Other preparations under 3206 49 70 90 carry 6%; that line's named black pigment suspension does not cover iron blue. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for these lines. They attach import waste controls, export waste controls and an export control on dangerous chemicals. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste. For notified waste entering England from China, the exporter starts the consent application in the dispatch country; shipment requires the relevant authorities' consent. Confirm other destinations and any onward export requirements with your customs broker.
Give your broker the chemical identity, pigment content, additives and supplied form to confirm the commodity code. The table separates powder preparations and dispersions under the same residual code; their classification still needs checking. See the wider pigments guide for other products within the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigment Blue 27, chemical identity 14038-43-8 | 3206 49 70 20 | 6% | None |
| Pigment Blue 27, identity 25869-00-5, and qualifying preparations | 3206 49 70 40 | 6% | None |
| Other iron blue powder preparations, subject to classification | 3206 49 70 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the iron blue grade and formulation
Specify the pigment's chemical identity, powder or dispersion form, pigment content and every carrier or additive. Agree a retained reference sample, shade, tinting strength, moisture, particle characteristics and dispersion performance in your actual binder. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and test the sample using your intended mixing process.
For Great Britain, confirm the UK REACH registration position and any applicable hazard-labelling and safety-data-sheet requirements with HSE before importing. Ask for an English safety data sheet where required and check that its identity matches the ordered grade.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of iron blue pigment preparation under 3206 49 70 90, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,000. Duty at 6% is £1,560. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,560, so it is £5,512. Import taxes total £7,072; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,560 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare bag labels, batch certificates and supplier documents with the agreed chemical identity, formulation and pigment content.
Colour: compare full shade and tinting strength with the retained sample in the agreed binder, using the same preparation method.
Dispersion: check wetting, remaining specks, settling and application appearance in your process; inspect powder for hard lumps.
Packing: check liners, closures, moisture damage and sampled bag weights; match every batch identifier to its certificate.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A matching powder colour can hide a difference in tinting strength or dispersion. The production batch then needs a changed recipe or leaves specks in the coating or ink. Damp packing can produce lumps, while an undisclosed carrier changes both processing behaviour and the information needed for classification.
A supplier's claim of zero duty is not enough to establish suspension eligibility. Keep the complete formulation and batch evidence, have the broker check the exclusion footnote, and investigate discrepancies before releasing the batch into production.
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 iron blue pigments from China?
The standard rate is 6%. Named Pigment Blue 27 lines have conditional 0% suspensions; other iron blue preparations generally pay 6%. The suspension footnotes exclude mixtures and preparations.
Does every Pigment Blue 27 grade qualify for zero duty?
No. Match chemical identity, composition and the exact suspension footnotes. A named tariff line does not make every formulation eligible.
Do I need UK REACH registration for iron blue pigment?
Confirm the UK REACH registration position for your imports into Great Britain with HSE before ordering. Check whether the manufacturer's representative covers your imports.
How should I approve an iron blue pigment batch?
Compare shade, tinting strength and dispersion with a retained sample in your actual binder. Check the batch certificate, formulation, bag weights and moisture protection.