Sourcing nylon polyamide chips from China
Polyamides in primary forms from China, including PA6, PA66, PA11, PA12, PA610 and PA612 chips and granules, pay 6% UK duty on the main lines of heading 3908, with no anti-dumping duty. A listed polyamide line and some named polymers are suspended to 0% until 2028. Moulders and spinners buy on relative viscosity, moisture and grade, so test lots before production.
PA6, PA66 and other nylon polyamide chips and compounds in primary forms from China pay 6% UK duty. Relative viscosity, moisture and grade checks.
6% duty, with suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 3908 covers polyamides in primary forms. Polyamide-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 (3908 10 00 00) carried 6% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Among other polyamides, the listed poly(iminomethylene-1,3-phenylenemethyleneiminoadipoyl) line 3908 90 00 10 has a 0% suspension to 31 December 2028, and 3908 90 00 90 is 6%, with 0% for listed pharmaceutical substances declared under additional code 2500 and a suspension to 2028 for two named polymers.
Nylon yarn and fabric are covered in our polyester and nylon woven fabrics guide; confirm the commodity code for filled or compounded grades.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA6, PA11, PA12, PA66, PA69, PA610, PA612 | 3908 10 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Listed poly(iminomethylene-1,3-phenylenemethyleneiminoadipoyl) | 3908 90 00 10 | 6%; suspended to 0% to 2028 | None |
| Other polyamides | 3908 90 00 90 | 6%; 0% for listed pharmaceutical substances; two named polymers 0% to 2028 | None |
Chemical and food contact rules
Polymers are exempt from UK REACH registration, but monomers and additives may not be, so ask for the supplier's REACH position and a safety data sheet. Grades for food contact parts must meet retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, with a declaration of compliance and migration testing.
Specifying polyamide
Specify polymer type, relative or intrinsic viscosity, moisture content as packed, extractables for PA6, glass fibre or mineral filling if compounded, colour, heat or UV stabilisation, flame retardancy if needed, and packing in moisture-proof bags or octabins.
Worked duty example
For a made-up shipment of 25 tonnes of PA6 chips for injection moulding under 3908 10 00 00, add the £2,800 of freight and insurance to the £48,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £50,800. At 6%, duty on these polyamide chips is £3,048; import VAT of £10,769.60 is 20% of the value with duty added. Together that is £13,817.60, but a VAT-registered importer usually gets the VAT back. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.
Inspection checklist
Grade: check viscosity, moisture and melting point on the certificate of analysis, and run a moulding or spinning trial.
Contamination: check chips for black specks, colour variation and fines.
Packing: check moisture barrier liners are sealed and lot labels match the certificates.
What goes wrong
Polyamide orders fail on moisture, viscosity drift and recycled content. Chips pick up moisture and cause splay or bubbles, viscosity varies between lots, and regrind is mixed into prime grades.
Test each lot and dry before processing. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources PA6 and PA66 chips and compounds for UK moulders and extruders, checking the polymerisation plant first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on PA6 chips from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, PA6 and PA66 under 3908 10 00 00 carried 6% from China.
Is there anti-dumping duty on nylon chips?
No. None of the 3908 lines carried an anti-dumping measure.
Are any polyamides suspended?
Yes. 3908 90 00 10 and two named polymers under 3908 90 00 90 are suspended to 0% until 2028.
Do food-contact grades need testing?
Yes, under retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.