Sourcing lipstick from China
Lipstick from China carries 0% UK import duty under lip make-up preparations. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a UK Responsible Person, a cosmetic safety assessment, the product information file and notification. Cambridge China Bridge sources lipstick.
UK duty on lipstick from China
Heading 3304 covers beauty, make-up and skin-care preparations, including lip make-up. Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, lipstick under 3304 10 00 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. Import VAT is 20%.
The tariff record attaches an export control of mercury to the lip make-up line. Ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to the proposed transaction. The CITES import control appears on the separate other-preparations line in the supplied record, rather than the lip make-up line.
Confirm the formulation and presentation against the commodity-code guide. For the wider cosmetics category, see beauty and personal care sourcing. The table shows lipstick formats sharing the same lip make-up code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet lipstick | 3304 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the shade, formula and lipstick pack
Approve a retained shade sample and specify finish, coverage, fragrance, application feel and net fill. For bullet lipstick, agree the mould shape, exposed stick length and twist mechanism. For liquid lipstick, approve the applicator, wiper and closure with the actual formula.
Get the full quantitative formula disclosed to your safety assessor under confidentiality. Have colourants and other ingredients reviewed for GB acceptability before approving production. Arrange the Responsible Person, safety report, product information file and notification before sale.
Agree stability and packaging compatibility checks using filled packs. Ask the factory to obtain approval before changing pigments, waxes, oils, fragrance or packaging components. Keep the approved formula, artwork and physical sample together as the production reference.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 lipsticks, illustrative order only under 3304 10 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
Shade and application: compare delivered stock with retained samples under consistent lighting; check colour, coverage, finish and drag.
Stick and mechanism: check for cracks, sweating, loose bullets, rubbing against the tube and twist mechanisms that slip or jam.
Liquid packs: check leakage, dried product around the neck, applicator attachment and the amount removed by the wiper.
Labels and traceability: compare ingredients, warnings, durability marking, batch identification and Responsible Person details with approved artwork; reconcile shade names on units and cartons.
What goes wrong
A colour name or photograph is a weak production reference. Pigment changes can alter both shade and application, while a pack that works with a fresh sample can leak or bind after storage. Check filled production units against the retained sample and agreed stability work.
A factory ingredient list may not give your safety assessor enough information; confirm the required formula disclosure with the assessor and the Responsible Person. Unfinished safety documents can leave stock that cannot be sold legally. Resolve these before committing to production, and review changes before accepting substitute ingredients.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on lipstick from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty under 3304 10 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Import VAT is 20%.
Can I sell Chinese lipstick under my own brand?
For Great Britain, arrange a UK Responsible Person, a qualified safety assessment, the product information file and notification before sale. Review the actual formula and labels.
What formula information should I request?
Request the full quantitative formula for your safety assessor, under confidentiality if needed. Agree approval of ingredient changes and retain the assessed formula alongside the approved shade sample.
How do I check lipstick quality on arrival?
Compare shade and application with retained samples. Check cracks, sweating, twist mechanisms, leakage and applicators, then match labels and batch codes against the approved documents.