Sourcing paint scrapers from China
Paint scrapers in the relevant hand-tool lines carry 2% UK duty from China, with no rate variation across the listed lines. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Confirm the scraper design and commodity code before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources paint scrapers.
Paint scraper duty and classification
Heading 8205 covers hand tools not elsewhere specified, alongside other named tools and equipment. For ordinary painters' paint scrapers, start the classification check with 8205 59 10 00, the line for tools used by painters and other building trades. The table includes neighbouring hand-tool lines and mixed sets for comparison; these are not interchangeable codes for the same scraper.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, the listed scraper-relevant lines carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The heading also contains drilling, threading or tapping tools at 0%; that rate should not be used for paint scrapers.
Send your broker photographs, blade material, intended use and the contents of any set to confirm the commodity code. For combinations with other tools, see the wider hand tool sets guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painters' tools, including paint scrapers | 8205 59 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Household hand tools, subject to scraper classification | 8205 51 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other hand tools, subject to scraper classification | 8205 59 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Mixed sets containing tools from different subheadings of this heading | 8205 90 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the blade, handle and scraping action
Specify whether the scraper pushes or pulls, its intended surface, blade width and thickness, edge profile and required stiffness. Agree the blade material and corrosion protection. A flexible decorating blade and a rigid paint-removal blade should have separate approved samples. Describe the finish you expect after scraping a representative painted panel.
For replaceable blades, agree the mounting shape, fastener, blade orientation and replacement compatibility. Specify handle material, grip texture and attachment method. Include an edge cover and packing that keeps the blade away from the handle and carton walls.
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply in Great Britain to products intended for or foreseeably used by consumers. These products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree checks for blade release, handle movement and exposed edges before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 handheld paint scrapers; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 8205 59 10 00, invoiced at £4,500 free on board, with £450 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,950. Duty at 2% is £99. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,049, so it is £1,009.80. Import taxes total £1,108.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £99 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Blade: measure against the drawing, check straightness and burrs, and compare scraping performance and permanent bending with the approved sample.
Handle: pull and twist the assembly using an agreed method; check loose rivets, cracked mouldings, sharp seams and grip movement.
Replacement system: fit the agreed replacement blade, check seating and fastener engagement, and confirm it stays secure during scraping.
Packing and identification: check edge covers, blade restraint, pack punctures and model identification; match the delivered assortment to the order. Use the inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
An unsuitable blade can flex instead of lifting paint, take a permanent bend or gouge the substrate. Loose handles and blade clamps make the scraping action unpredictable. A replacement blade that looks similar may have a different mounting shape and fail to seat securely.
Compare production samples with the retained sample on the agreed painted surface. Inspect arrivals for rust, bent edges, loose fasteners and damaged covers before releasing stock. Record whether a defect follows the blade, handle assembly or packing so the factory can correct the cause.
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 paint scrapers from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% for painters' tools under 8205 59 10 00 and the other listed comparison lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for your design.
Which commodity code should I use for a paint scraper?
Start with 8205 59 10 00 for painters' tools. Ask your broker to confirm it from the blade, intended use and set contents; the comparison rows are not alternative codes you can choose freely.
How do I check paint scraper quality?
Compare blade dimensions, stiffness and scraping performance with the approved sample. Check handle movement, blade retention, replacement fit, corrosion and protective packing.
What safety rule applies to consumer paint scrapers?
In Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 cover products intended for or foreseeably used by consumers. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.