Sourcing laundry detergents from China

Laundry detergent duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 3402 covers surface-active agents and washing and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap. This guide focuses on formulated laundry detergents. Retail washing preparations fall within 3402 50 90 00; washing preparations not put up for retail sale fall within 3402 90 90 00. The table separates retail forms sharing the same commodity line.

Both washing-preparation lines carry 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, tariff suspension or attached import control on these lines. Some surfactant ingredient lines elsewhere in the heading carry waste controls; the UK Trade Tariff attaches those controls and an importer using those lines should confirm the requirement with their customs broker.

Confirm the composition and presentation before choosing the commodity code. Do not assume that a suspension for a surfactant ingredient applies to finished washing preparations. See the dishwasher detergent guide for another product family within the heading.

Specify the formulation and washing performance

Specify powder, liquid or capsules, intended fabrics, biological or non-biological formulation, fragrance, colour and pack format. Agree the dose, wash temperature and water hardness used for acceptance tests. Request the complete formulation, including surfactants, enzymes, preservatives, fragrance and phosphorus-containing ingredients. Compare stain removal, rinsing and fabric residue against an approved sample.

The Detergents Regulation covers detergents placed on the Great Britain market. The public ingredient data sheet must be available on a website in a less detailed version. Confirm chemical hazard labelling, packaging and safety data sheet requirements for hazardous mixtures with HSE, using the published chemical guide as a starting point. Ask for ingredient information and hazard documents matching the actual formulation before approving artwork.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 tonnes of bulk laundry washing liquid under 3402 90 90 00, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,400. Duty at 4% is £176. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,576, so it is £915.20. Import taxes total £1,091.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £176 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Formulation: compare batch documents, appearance, fragrance and liquid viscosity or powder flow with the approved sample.

Wash test: use the agreed dose, water hardness, fabrics and stain samples; check cleaning, rinsing, colour change and residue.

Packaging: check fill weight, bottle seals, powder bag closures and capsule packs for leakage, moisture damage and sticking.

Documents: compare ingredient information, hazard documents, artwork and batch identification with the supplied goods. Use the inspection guide to organise acceptance checks.

What goes wrong

A sample can clean well while the production batch contains a changed surfactant blend or less enzyme. Powders cake after moisture enters the bag, liquids separate or leak through closures, and capsules stick together or leave film on clothes. A pleasant fragrance does not demonstrate cleaning performance.

Keep a retained sample and agree the wash test before ordering. Review formula changes before accepting replacement documents or artwork. Treat domestic laundry detergent supplied in bulk as a product needing its own classification and document review; pack size alone does not establish its regulatory treatment.

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.