Sourcing multi-purpose cleaners from China
Multi-purpose surface cleaners from China carry 4% UK duty on the retail and bulk cleaning-preparation lines. For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm which detergent rules and English-language labelling requirements apply to these cleaners. Confirm the formula and surface claims before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources multi-purpose surface cleaners.
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4% duty on formulated surface cleaners
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 13 December 2026, heading 3402 covers organic surface-active agents and washing and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, excluding goods of heading 3401. This guide concerns multi-purpose surface cleaners for routine cleaning without disinfectant claims. Compare retail cleaning preparations under 3402 50 90 00 with non-retail cleaning preparations under 3402 90 90 00. The surface-active preparation rows are formulation-dependent comparisons.
Both cleaning-preparation lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The comparison line 3402 90 10 90 lists a conditional 0.00 % suspension for specified preparations; do not assume a finished cleaner qualifies. Elsewhere in the heading, raw-surfactant lines have an attached waste import control. For any proposed waste shipment from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement.
Provide the complete formulation, intended use and retail or bulk presentation to confirm the commodity code. The hand dishwashing liquids guide covers the wider heading. Confirm classification before using a supplier's proposed duty rate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail washing and cleaning preparations, including surface cleaners | 3402 50 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Non-retail washing and cleaning preparations, including bulk surface cleaners | 3402 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Retail surface-active preparations; compare classification against the formula | 3402 50 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Other non-retail surface-active preparations; formulation-dependent comparison | 3402 90 10 90 | 4% | None |
Specify surfaces, dilution and the spray pack
Specify ready-to-use liquid or concentrate, intended surfaces, surfactants, solvents, acidity or alkalinity, fragrance, colour and dilution instructions. Agree representative grease and everyday soil for cleaning trials. Test on the actual claimed materials, including painted finishes, laminate and stainless steel where relevant, and assess streaking, residue and surface damage after drying.
Ask HSE to confirm whether Great Britain's Detergents Regulation applies to the cleaning mixture and which English-language labelling requirements apply. Importers are responsible for chemical classification. Consumer detergents need an edited ingredient data sheet on a website; hazardous cleaners supplied for use at work need a safety data sheet. Request the complete formula and surfactant biodegradability records, and ask HSE to confirm UK REACH responsibilities for the ingredients and import tonnage.
Agree bottle material, trigger output, spray pattern, closure lock, seals, fill quantity and carton arrangement. Test the liquid with the intended bottle and trigger, including storage and transport simulation. Keep the agreed claims to cleaning, and refer proposed disinfectant claims to HSE before approving artwork. Use testing and certification support to define checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial pallet of bottled multi-purpose surface cleaner under 3402 50 90 00, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £1,168 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,368. Duty at 4% is £134.72. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,502.72, so it is £700.54. Import taxes total £835.26; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £134.72 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Formula: compare batch composition, acidity or alkalinity, viscosity, colour and fragrance with the approved specification; inspect for separation, sediment and unexpected odour.
Cleaning and surfaces: use the agreed soil, dilution, water and wiping method; compare grease removal, streaking, dried residue, discolouration and finish damage with the approved sample.
Bottle and trigger: measure fill quantity, trial spraying and locking, and inspect seals, necks and closures for leaks; check cartons and labels for liquid damage on arrival.
Documents: match the formula, applicable safety data sheet, English artwork, consumer ingredient webpage and batch identification to the delivered goods. Agree sampling through the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A cleaner can remove grease yet leave a visible film or damage a finish after drying. A concentrate tested at a different dilution can give a misleading comparison. Approve the cleaning method and claimed surfaces together, retain samples, and repeat the agreed trials on production batches.
Formula changes can affect spray performance and bottle compatibility. Triggers may dribble, closures may seep, and fragrance may change during storage. Freeze the formula, pack and artwork together; investigate substitutions and discrepancies before releasing stock.
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 multi-purpose surface cleaners from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 4% on retail cleaning preparations under 3402 50 90 00 and non-retail cleaning preparations under 3402 90 90 00, with no listed trade remedy or suspension on either line.
Can I sell surface cleaners with Chinese-only labels?
For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the language requirements for detergent labels, including whether other languages may appear alongside English. Approve the English artwork against the actual formulation before printing.
Do imported surface cleaners need a safety data sheet?
Hazardous cleaners supplied for use at work need a safety data sheet. Ask HSE about the requirements for your actual mixture and check that the supplier's document matches the formulation.
How do I check a multi-purpose cleaner before shipment?
Test agreed soils on the claimed surfaces at the stated dilution. Compare cleaning, streaking and dried residue with the approved sample, then check surface damage, trigger operation, fill quantity and leakage.