Sourcing PET, epoxy and polyester resins from China
PET chips, polycarbonate, epoxy, alkyd and most other polyester resins from China pay 6% UK duty, and poly(lactic acid) 0%, with no anti-dumping duty. Polymers are exempt from UK REACH registration, but their monomers may need it, and bottle-grade PET needs food contact evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
PET chips, epoxy resins, polycarbonate, alkyds and polyacetals pay 6% UK duty from China; PLA 0%. REACH, food contact and a worked duty example.
Duty by resin
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and other polyesters carried 6% duty on goods from China, poly(lactic acid) 0%, and polyacetals and the residual epoxide resin line 0% for listed pharmaceutical substances and 6% otherwise. Some epoxy products have end-use suspensions with conditions. None had an anti-dumping measure.
Resins must be in primary forms, such as liquids, pastes, powders or pellets; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyacetals | 3907 10 00 00 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
| Epoxide resins, other | 3907 30 00 85 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
| Polycarbonates, other | 3907 40 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Alkyd resins | 3907 50 00 00 | 6% | None |
| PET, viscosity 78 ml/g or higher, other | 3907 61 00 80 | 6% | None |
| Other PET | 3907 69 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Poly(lactic acid) | 3907 70 00 00 | 0% | None |
REACH and food contact
Polymers are exempt from UK REACH registration, but an importer of a polymer may need to register monomers or other substances it contains above the thresholds unless they are already registered up the supply chain; ask for a UK REACH statement. Bottle-grade PET and resins for food packaging must comply with the retained plastics food contact regulation, with a declaration of compliance and migration data.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of bottle-grade PET chips under 3907 61 00 80, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 6% is £1,200. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,200, so it is £4,240. Import taxes total £5,440; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,200 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
What goes wrong
Resin problems show up in your process, not at the port. PET with the wrong intrinsic viscosity or high acetaldehyde spoils bottles; wet PET degrades unless it is dried and packed properly. Epoxy batches vary in epoxide equivalent weight and viscosity, which changes cure. Off-grade or recycled content is sometimes mixed in without disclosure.
Ask for a certificate of analysis per lot with intrinsic viscosity or epoxide equivalent, moisture and colour, test the first lot in your process, and at inspection check bag labels, lot codes and liner integrity.
Cambridge China Bridge sources PET, epoxy, polycarbonate and other resins, with grade, food contact and REACH questions settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on PET chips from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, PET resin carried 6% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do polymers need REACH registration?
Polymers are exempt, but monomers and other substances in them may need registration by the importer.
What does bottle-grade PET need?
A declaration of compliance under the plastics food contact rules and migration data.
What duty applies to PLA?
Poly(lactic acid) carried 0% from China on 25 September 2026.