Sourcing perylene pigments from China
Perylene pigments from China carry 6% standard UK duty. Their tariff line also lists a conditional 0% suspension, but eligibility needs confirmation for the exact substance. GB importers must meet UK REACH and chemical classification, labelling and packaging duties. Cambridge China Bridge sources perylene pigments.
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Standard duty and conditional suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3204 covers synthetic organic colouring matter and specified preparations. The relevant other-pigments line, 3204 17 00 90, carries 6% standard duty for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. It also lists a conditional 0% suspension. The supplied eligibility footnote is incomplete, so confirm the full substance and composition conditions before claiming relief.
The tariff attaches veterinary control and import and export waste controls to this line. Ask your customs broker to confirm the veterinary requirement against the complete formulation and any animal-derived ingredients. For waste, establish the material's status and the applicable shipment procedure before dispatch; do not treat a tariff code as clearance to import pigment waste.
The table repeats the same candidate code for different perylene products because the supplied tariff has no separate perylene lines. Confirm the commodity code from chemical identity, additives and supplied form. For wider heading context, see quinacridone pigments.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perylene red pigment powder | 3204 17 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the perylene grade and application
Specify the Colour Index identity, chemical identity, pigment content, surface treatment and whether the supply is powder or a preparation. Name the intended resin, solvent or plastic and agree a retained reference sample. Set acceptance criteria for full shade, tinting strength, transparency or opacity, dispersion and performance under your actual processing conditions.
GB importers need a UK REACH registration position at or above one tonne per substance per year, including substances within mixtures. Confirm any only representative coverage rather than relying on the factory's registration claim. Meet the applicable chemical classification, labelling and packaging duties, and obtain an English safety data sheet where required.
If material from China is waste subject to notification controls, the exporter must apply through the dispatch country's competent authority. Shipment to England can start after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Waste controls apply only where the material is waste; confirm the status of recovered pigment or production residues before buying.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of perylene pigment powder; standard duty assumed under 3204 17 00 90, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,000. Duty at 6% is £1,560. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,560, so it is £5,512. Import taxes total £7,072; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,560 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity and records: match the ordered chemical identity, formulation and batch references across the bags, analysis certificate and safety data sheet.
Shade and strength: make comparative drawdowns using the agreed binder, pigment loading and dispersion method; assess full shade and tint against the retained sample.
Dispersion and processing: check agglomerates, specks, viscosity and settling in your formulation; trial the intended heat exposure and check colour afterwards.
Packing and condition: inspect liners, seals, leakage and moisture damage; check sampled bag weights and retain a labelled sample from each batch.
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What goes wrong
A visually similar pigment can have different tinting strength, transparency or dispersion behaviour. Substituted grades or changed surface treatments can shift a coating's shade or leave specks in ink. Approve samples in your formulation and require approval before the supplier changes the grade, treatment or additives.
Moisture damage and agglomeration make powder harder to disperse. Documents describing only a trade name leave the chemical identity and suspension eligibility unclear. Hold an uncertain batch pending checks, and compare costs using the standard duty until relief is confirmed.
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 perylene pigments from China?
The supplied tariff records 6% standard duty under 3204 17 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. A conditional 0% suspension is listed, but its incomplete footnote does not establish perylene eligibility.
Do I need UK REACH registration for perylene pigments?
At or above one tonne per substance per year, confirm registration or applicable only representative coverage. For preparations, assess the imported quantity of each constituent substance.
How do I check that a perylene pigment matches my sample?
Compare full shade and tinting strength in your actual binder or plastic, using the same loading and dispersion method. Also check transparency, specks and colour after processing.
Can I use the same code for perylene powder and dispersions?
The table gives a candidate other-pigments code. Ask your customs broker to confirm each formulation, including its carrier and additives; the product's trade name alone is insufficient.