Sourcing makeup brush sets from China
Makeup brush sets from China carry 2% UK duty under the cosmetics-brush line, with no additional trade remedy shown. Consumer brushes must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; natural-hair materials also need a CITES check. Cambridge China Bridge sources makeup brush sets.
2% duty on cosmetics brushes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 9603 covers brushes and other cleaning and painting tools. Makeup application brushes fall within 9603 30 90 00. The table separates brush types within that same commodity line. See the wider brushes guide for other products in the heading.
The cosmetics-brush line carries 2% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches CITES import and export controls. For natural-hair sets, identify the species and confirm the applicable documentation with your customs broker before ordering. CITES permit requirements and country-specific import restrictions need checking against the actual material.
Confirm the commodity code using the brush functions, materials and full contents of the retail set, including any pouch or other accessories. Do not assume every item supplied alongside the brushes belongs in the cosmetics-brush line.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder and blusher brushes for makeup sets | 9603 30 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify each brush in the set
List each brush by function and head shape. Specify synthetic filaments, natural hair or a blend, together with softness, taper, exposed length and fill density. For natural hair, ask the factory to identify the species. Approve a physical sample for powder pickup, blending and contact with the skin.
Fix the ferrule material, crimp and adhesive, handle material and finish, printed brush names, pouch construction and packing layout. Agree a washing and drying method for sample checks. Consumer brushes sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 590 makeup brush sets, illustrative only under 9603 30 90 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 2% is £61.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,151.80, so it is £630.36. Import taxes total £692.16; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £61.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Brush heads: compare shapes, softness and density with the approved sample; check shedding during application and after washing.
Ferrules and handles: check for rotation, loose joints, sharp edges, cracked coatings and printing that rubs off.
Performance: test powder pickup and blending; check whether wet brushes release dye or lose their shape after drying.
Set contents and packing: check every brush against the packing list, inspect pouch seams and closures, and look for crushed heads, dampness or staining on arrival.
What goes wrong
A set can look consistent in photographs but contain different filament densities or substitute hair blends. Loose ferrules, shedding, dye transfer and flattened heads can appear during use or after washing. Keep the approved sample and agree checks on washed samples before shipment.
Natural hair described only as animal hair leaves the material unclear for a CITES check. Obtain species information before committing to the order. Use the quality inspection guide to organise checks against the agreed specification.
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 makeup brush sets from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% duty for cosmetics brushes under 9603 30 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Can I import natural-hair makeup brushes from China?
Check the species before ordering. The tariff attaches CITES controls; confirm documentation with your broker and check whether a country-specific restriction applies to the material.
How do I check whether makeup brushes shed?
Compare samples with the approved brush, use them with the intended makeup, then wash and dry them by the agreed method. Check loose filaments, dye transfer and changes in head shape.
What should my makeup brush set specification include?
Include each brush function and shape, filament material, softness and density, ferrule fixing, handle finish, printing, pouch details and the exact set contents.