Sourcing titanium dioxide pastes from China
Non-aqueous titanium dioxide pigment pastes from China under 3212 90 00 00 carry 0% UK duty, with no listed trade remedy. Great Britain importers must classify and label the mixture under the chemical classification rules. Match its carrier and pigment grade to your paint. Cambridge China Bridge sources non-aqueous titanium dioxide pigment pastes.
Zero duty on non-aqueous titanium dioxide pastes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, non-aqueous pigment pastes used in paint manufacture fall within heading 3212. The relevant line, 3212 90 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Only this line is relevant to the focused table.
The tariff attaches an ozone-depleting-substance restriction and import and export waste controls. Ask for the complete carrier composition and have your customs broker confirm the declaration requirements. Importing ozone-depleting substances into Great Britain requires a licence. For waste imported into England under notification controls, shipment can start only after the Environment Agency and other competent authorities have consented. Have your broker confirm the applicable waste controls for material from China, including any proposed return shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the composition, non-aqueous carrier, physical form and intended use. Do not classify a paste solely by the titanium dioxide name. See the wider universal tinting pastes guide and the import duty and VAT guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-aqueous titanium dioxide pigment pastes for paint manufacture | 3212 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the titanium dioxide and its carrier
Specify rutile or anatase, pigment surface treatment, titanium dioxide content, carrier identity, resin content and dispersant. Agree viscosity with the measurement method and temperature, fineness of dispersion, undertone, hiding power and storage behaviour. Test the paste in your actual paint formulation, with the intended mixing process and application. Keep an approved sample and agree that formulation changes need your approval.
For Great Britain supply, the mixture must be classified and labelled under the chemical classification rules. Ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position for each constituent substance, allowing for any applicable exemption or manufacturer's only representative, and whether an English safety data sheet is required. A pigment certificate alone does not describe the complete paste. Use testing and certification support to define the checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 400 kg of non-aqueous titanium dioxide pigment paste; illustrative order under 3212 90 00 00, invoiced at £6,800 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,500, so it is £1,500. 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 batch numbers to the analysis certificate and approved formulation; check crystal form, surface treatment, pigment content and carrier identity.
Paint performance: compare drawdowns with the retained sample at the same addition rate and film thickness; check hiding power, undertone, gloss and compatibility.
Dispersion and settling: check viscosity and coarse particles, examine separation, and confirm settled pigment can be redispersed using the agreed mixing method.
Arrival condition: inspect lids, seals and drum interiors for leakage, contamination or dried skin; check net mass and reconcile labels and safety information with the delivered grade.
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What goes wrong
A white paste can match the sample visually yet give poorer hiding in the finished paint because pigment content or dispersion has changed. An incompatible carrier can cause flocculation, gloss loss or viscosity drift. Hard settling leaves pigment on the drum bottom, while solvent loss through a poor seal thickens the paste.
Agree acceptance tests in the actual paint and retain samples from supplied batches. Investigate changes in carrier, dispersant and surface treatment before adjusting your recipe. Keep suspect drums separate until the batch has been checked.
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 titanium dioxide pigment paste from China?
The relevant non-aqueous paste line, 3212 90 00 00, carries 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does importing titanium dioxide paste require UK REACH registration?
Ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration requirements for each constituent substance. Review any applicable exemptions and manufacturer's only representative coverage with HSE; assess the substances rather than just the total paste mass.
Can I use the paste in any solvent-based paint?
Test it in your actual formulation. Carrier, resin, dispersant and pigment surface treatment affect compatibility, viscosity, gloss and hiding power.
How do I check titanium dioxide paste on arrival?
Check batch identity, seals, net mass, settling, redispersibility, viscosity and coarse particles. Compare paint drawdowns with the retained approved sample.