Sourcing Montan ester wax from China

Duty and classification for Montan ester wax

Heading 3404 covers artificial and prepared waxes. For this guide, the relevant candidate is 3404 90 00 00, “Other”, subject to confirmation of the actual composition. Montan ester wax should not be classified solely from its commercial name. See the wider artificial and prepared waxes guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the relevant line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. This tariff result does not settle chemical compliance.

Ask for the chemical identity, composition and description of how the wax is modified or blended. Confirm the commodity code before shipment. Only the relevant “Other” line is shown because the supplied tariff file contains no separate Montan ester wax subdivisions.

Specify the ester grade and processing behaviour

Specify Montan ester wax rather than accepting a generic Montan wax description. Ask whether the grade contains unmodified wax, other waxes or additives. Agree acid value, saponification value, drop melting point, melt viscosity, colour and supplied form, with the test method and acceptance limits written into the purchase specification.

For plastics processing, trial the sample in your own resin and process. Compare dispersion, release, surface appearance and deposits on tooling. For polish formulations, check compatibility and the finished surface. Retain an approved sample and require a batch certificate of analysis.

Chemical suppliers, including importers, are responsible for classification. Assess applicable UK REACH registration for the substances being imported, using the actual composition and annual quantity. Do not treat the factory's product name as a chemical identity.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative shipment of bagged Montan ester wax, not a quotation under 3404 90 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,200, so it is £6,440. 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

Identity: match the grade, composition declaration and batch certificate to the approved sample and order.

Laboratory results: compare acid value, saponification value, melting behaviour and melt viscosity using the agreed methods.

Physical condition: check colour, particle form, caking, contamination and damaged or damp packaging.

Application trial: check dispersion, release and surface appearance in your actual formulation before releasing the batch.

What goes wrong

An apparently similar grade can behave differently if its ester composition or blend changes. Watch for poor dispersion, surface streaks, deposits and inconsistent release. Investigate differences in acid value, saponification value or melt viscosity rather than accepting colour alone as proof of a match.

Mixed batch identifiers and missing composition information make failures harder to trace. Keep arrival samples and compare them with the approved sample before using the shipment. Agree the sampling and testing scope through the quality inspection guide.

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.