Sourcing PETG resin pellets from China
PETG resin pellets from China have a 6% base duty on the candidate lines, with conditional suspensions giving a 0% to 6% range. Confirm composition and viscosity before choosing a code. Confirm the UK REACH registration position for the polymer and its monomers with HSE. Cambridge China Bridge sources PETG resin pellets.
PETG pellet codes and duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3907 covers resins in primary forms, including polyester pellets. PETG is a buying description, so the table gives candidate lines rather than interchangeable classifications. Obtain the polymer composition, cyclohexane dimethanol content and viscosity data. See the wider resin guide.
The selected lines have 6% base duty for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The suspension on 3907 99 80 70 gives 2.00% and excludes mixtures or preparations containing the listed product. Under 3907 69 00 90, qualifying pellets with specific gravity of 1.23 to 1.27 at 23 °C and no more than 10% modifiers or additives have a 0.00% suspension. Do not assume a PETG grade qualifies.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For recycled or off-grade pellets from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirement before shipment. Confirm the commodity code against the actual formulation and check the duty and VAT method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| PET copolymer with over 10% cyclohexane dimethanol; viscosity at least 78 ml/g | 3907 61 00 20 | 6% | None |
| Lower-viscosity PET copolymer with over 10% cyclohexane dimethanol | 3907 69 00 20 | 6% | None |
| Other lower-viscosity PET pellets, subject to composition checks | 3907 69 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Other polyester: PET copolymer with over 10% cyclohexane dimethanol | 3907 99 80 70 | 6% | None |
Specify the PETG grade and processing use
State whether the pellets are for sheet extrusion, thermoforming, injection moulding or filament production. Agree the manufacturer and grade, polymer composition, virgin or recycled content, colour, clarity, viscosity, moisture acceptance criteria and test methods. Ask for drying and processing instructions for that exact grade, and approve a production trial using a retained reference sample.
Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration exemptions or responsibilities apply to the polymer, its monomers or other constituent substances, including any upstream registration coverage. Ask for the supplier's registration position. For food-packaging use, obtain a declaration of compliance and migration data for the exact grade and intended use, and confirm the applicable plastics food-contact requirements with the relevant food authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of PETG resin pellets, not a quotation under 3907 69 00 20, 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.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match bag labels, manufacturer, grade and lot numbers to the purchase specification and batch certificate of analysis.
Moisture and packing: check sealed liners, damaged bags and moisture against the agreed acceptance criteria before processing.
Appearance: inspect pellets for black specks, dust, mixed colours and foreign material; compare clarity and colour on processed samples.
Process performance: trial each new lot using agreed drying and machine settings, then compare flow, bubbles and finished-part appearance with the approved sample.
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What goes wrong
A supplier substitutes a different copolyester, blends in undisclosed recycled material or ships a lot with different viscosity. The pellets may look similar while producing different flow, clarity or forming behaviour. Wet material and contamination can cause bubbles, streaks and rejected parts.
Keep suspect lots separate and retain samples and batch records. Agree how failed material will be investigated before paying the balance. Use quality inspection to check packing and traceability, alongside process trials. A generic food-grade statement does not provide the grade-specific declaration and migration data described above.
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 PETG pellets from China?
The selected candidate lines carry 6% base duty. Conditional suspensions give 2.00% on 3907 99 80 70 or 0.00% for qualifying pellets on 3907 69 00 90. Classification and eligibility need checking.
Can I choose a commodity code from the PETG name?
Use the actual polymer composition and viscosity data to confirm the code. The candidate lines distinguish composition and viscosity; a supplier's PETG description alone is insufficient for that check.
Do PETG pellets need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether registration exemptions or responsibilities apply to the polymer, its monomers or other constituent substances, including any upstream registration coverage. Check the position for the exact formulation.
What should I ask for when buying food-packaging PETG?
Ask for the exact grade's declaration of compliance and migration data covering the intended food-contact use, plus batch analysis, traceability and processing instructions.