Sourcing lithopone pigment from China
Lithopone from China falls under a tariff line with duty from 0% to 6%: qualifying lithopone has a suspension, while mixtures and preparations are excluded. GB buyers should confirm their UK REACH responsibilities with HSE and check chemical classification before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources lithopone pigment.
Lithopone suspension and the standard duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, heading 3206 covers other colouring matter and specified preparations. Lithopone falls under 3206 42 00 00, alongside other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulphide. This focused guide uses the single relevant tariff line; see the wider pigments guide for other products.
The supplied tariff record gives a standard China duty of 6% and a 0% autonomous suspension limited to lithopone identified by substance number 1345-05-7. Its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing lithopone. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for this line. Match the actual formulation to the suspension before budgeting.
The tariff also attaches waste import and export controls. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For China-origin material whose waste status or applicable procedure is uncertain, confirm the requirement with your customs broker before shipment. Confirm the commodity code using the composition and supplied form.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithopone and other zinc sulphide pigments and preparations | 3206 42 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify composition and performance in your formulation
Ask for the full composition, including the zinc sulphide and barium sulphate content, any added fillers, dispersants and surface treatment. State whether you want lithopone itself or a formulated pigment preparation. Agree limits for shade, tinting strength, moisture, coarse particles and oil absorption against an approved retained sample.
Test dispersion and hiding power in your intended binder or polymer using an agreed preparation method. Specify mixing conditions and assess the finished formulation alongside the approved sample. Agree lined bags, clear batch identification and a batch certificate of analysis.
For Great Britain, confirm the UK REACH registration position and any applicable annual substance-import thresholds with HSE before ordering. Importers must arrange scientifically competent classification and labelling. Confirm with HSE when an English safety data sheet is required and arrange to provide it where applicable.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10 tonnes of lithopone-based pigment preparation, outside the suspension under 3206 42 00 00, 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: match the composition, batch certificate and bag markings to the approved product; investigate any undeclared filler or treatment.
Colour and strength: compare each batch with the retained sample in the same formulation, checking shade, tinting strength and hiding power.
Dispersion: check coarse particles, agglomerates and mixing behaviour using the agreed method; retain a sample from each inspected batch.
Packing and paperwork: inspect liners, seals, dampness and caking; weigh sampled bags and check the safety data sheet and label against the supplied composition.
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What goes wrong
A white powder can resemble the approved sample yet produce different coverage or tinting strength in use. Added filler, a changed grade or poor dispersion can make the buyer's formulation behave differently. Compare batches in the intended formulation rather than accepting a visual powder comparison alone.
Damp bags can leave hard lumps that disrupt dispersion. A formulated blend can also be mistaken for suspension-eligible lithopone. Resolve composition discrepancies before customs entry. If importing waste into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply through the dispatch country's competent authority, and shipment can start only after the necessary authorities consent.
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 lithopone from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 6% standard duty under 3206 42 00 00, with a 0% suspension for qualifying lithopone. Mixtures and preparations are excluded from that suspension.
Does a lithopone blend qualify for the duty suspension?
The suspension footnote excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing lithopone. Check the full formulation with your customs broker.
Do I need UK REACH registration for lithopone?
For Great Britain, confirm the registration position for your planned annual substance imports with HSE. Ask HSE whether coverage through the manufacturer's GB-based only representative is applicable to your imports.
How should I check lithopone quality?
Compare each batch with an approved retained sample in your intended formulation. Check shade, tinting strength, hiding power, dispersion, moisture and the condition of the bag liners.