Sourcing nylon plastic scrap from China
Nylon plastic scrap from China carries 0% UK duty under the other-plastics scrap line, with no recorded trade remedy. The duty range is therefore 0% throughout this guide. Waste-shipment rules still apply: settle the material classification and shipment procedure before loading. Cambridge China Bridge sources nylon plastic scrap.
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Zero duty, with waste-shipment checks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 14 November 2026, heading 3915 covers waste, parings and scrap of plastics. Nylon plastic scrap belongs within the supplied other-plastics line, 3915 90 70 00. The table shows different scrap forms under that same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. That empty control field does not remove waste-shipment obligations. Ask the regulator whether clean sorted plastic waste qualifies for lighter controls and whether mixed or contaminated material requires prior notification and consent. Confirm the procedure with the receiving recycler and regulator before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code from the polymer, physical form and waste status. Recycled pellets that are no longer waste fall within primary plastics rather than this scrap heading. See the wider plastic scrap guide for the heading as a whole.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon moulding offcuts, remaining waste | 3915 90 70 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the nylon stream and recycling route
Specify the polyamide grade, production source, colour and form. Separate unfilled nylon from glass-filled material, and identify mineral fillers, flame retardants and other additives. Agree limits for moisture, other polymers, metal and dirt, with a sampling method and an approved retained sample. Ask the recycler to trial the material before agreeing the acceptance specification.
For an import into England under green-list controls, the exporter must complete the shipment information form and a copy must accompany the load. The importer must have a written contract with the exporter before shipment. Confirm the applicable procedure for the Chinese dispatch and transit route with the authorities concerned.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative only: 20 tonnes of sorted nylon moulding scrap under 3915 90 70 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,000, so it is £2,200. 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: sample across the load and compare polymer identification with the agreed nylon grade; keep filled and unfilled streams separate.
Condition: check moisture, odour, oil, dirt and signs of heat damage against the agreed sample and acceptance limits.
Composition: test glass or mineral content and check for other polymers, metal inserts and inconsistent colours.
Load records: match bag markings, batch identity, weights and waste documents to the inspected material. Use a quality inspection plan that includes opening bags.
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What goes wrong
Similar-looking nylon scrap can contain different grades, filler levels or additives. Damp regrind, oily machining waste and overheated purgings can behave differently from the supplier's sample. A clean layer at the top of a bag can conceal mixed material below; sample throughout the load and agree how disputed batches will be handled.
A supplier calling material recycled does not settle whether it remains waste. The wrong waste procedure can hold up an otherwise duty-free shipment. Resolve classification and paperwork before loading, and agree the receiving recycler's acceptance criteria before buying.
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 nylon plastic scrap from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% for 3915 90 70 00, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension.
Does zero duty mean nylon scrap needs no waste paperwork?
No. Waste-shipment rules still apply. Confirm whether the load qualifies for green-list controls or needs prior notification and consent before shipment.
What should I test before buying nylon regrind?
Check polymer identity, moisture, glass or mineral content, contamination and processing behaviour. Trial a representative sample with the intended recycler.
Are recycled nylon pellets covered by this guide?
This guide covers scrap that remains waste. Pellets that are no longer waste fall within primary plastics; confirm their classification separately.