Sourcing PBT monofilament from China
PBT monofilament from China carries 0% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no listed anti-dumping duty. Heading 5404 covers monofilament of 67 decitex or more with no cross-sectional dimension above 1 mm. Check resin identity, dimensions and any chemically tapered paintbrush specification. Cambridge China Bridge sources PBT monofilament.
Zero duty and the PBT classification boundary
PBT is polybutylene terephthalate, a polyester. Heading 5404 covers synthetic monofilament of 67 decitex or more with no cross-sectional dimension exceeding 1 mm. Ordinary PBT monofilament is a candidate for 5404 19 00 90. Chemically tapered polyester filaments for paintbrush manufacture have a separate line, 5404 19 00 60, with diameter, length and end-use conditions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, both relevant lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table shows product variants sharing these codes; colour and supply format do not create separate tariff lines.
Confirm the commodity code using the resin declaration, measured cross-section, linear density and any tapering process. Ask your customs broker to check the full description before declaring the paintbrush line. See the wider polyester monofilament guide for the broader product family.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural PBT monofilament, other | 5404 19 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Chemically tapered PBT paintbrush filaments meeting the tariff specification | 5404 19 00 60 | 0% | None |
Specify PBT resin, brush feel and supply format
State PBT resin identity, whether blends or recycled material are acceptable, diameter and tolerance, cross-sectional shape, linear density, colour, stiffness and recovery after bending. For brush filaments, specify straight-cut or tapered ends, cut length, tip condition and the intended brush construction. Approve a retained sample made into the actual brush rather than judging loose filaments alone.
For continuous monofilament, agree spool dimensions, net filament weight, winding tension, allowable joins and payout direction. For cut bundles, agree alignment, length consistency and protection against bent tips. Ask the factory to identify resin, colourant and production batches so arrival checks can be compared with the approved sample.
UK REACH applies to substances in articles, and restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances being placed on the market or used. Ask for formulation information to check applicable restrictions. For food-contact brush use, request evidence covering the actual resin, colourants and intended contact conditions. Agree the evidence needed through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 12 trial-production spools of PBT monofilament, illustrative only under 5404 19 00 90, invoiced at £1,200 free on board, with £120 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,320. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,320, so it is £264. 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
Material and batches: compare resin declarations and batch records with the order. Where identity is uncertain, arrange polymer identification testing rather than accepting the supplier's product name.
Dimensions and tips: measure diameter along sampled lengths and check ovality. For cut or tapered brush filaments, compare cut length, taper consistency, split tips and surface damage with the approved sample.
Brush performance: make trial tufts or brushes and compare stiffness, bend recovery, shedding and colour transfer under the intended wet, dry or cleaning conditions.
Packing and payout: check net weight, spool damage, winding and tangles, or bundle alignment and crushed tips. Run sampled spools on your equipment before releasing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
A matching colour can hide a changed resin blend or drawing process. The resulting filament may feel softer, recover poorly or break during tufting. Diameter drift changes brush density and machine settings; uneven tapering changes paint pickup and the finished tip. Keep the approved sample and compare each production batch against it.
Good loose filaments can still arrive unusable when winding traps loops or packing bends cut tips. Make packing and payout part of sample approval. A generic resin report also leaves gaps if the delivered colourant or formulation differs; request evidence tied to the supplied material and intended use.
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 PBT monofilament from China?
The relevant lines, 5404 19 00 90 and qualifying 5404 19 00 60, carried 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty was listed.
Which commodity code covers PBT brush filaments?
Ordinary PBT monofilament is a candidate for 5404 19 00 90. Use 5404 19 00 60 only when chemically tapered paintbrush filaments meet its full dimensional and end-use description.
How do I check PBT monofilament quality?
Check resin identity, diameter, ovality, colour and bend recovery against the approved sample. Test cut filaments in a brush and continuous filament on your payout equipment.
Is PBT monofilament automatically suitable for food brushes?
A polymer name alone does not demonstrate suitability. Request evidence for the supplied resin and colourants under the intended food-contact conditions before making brushes.