Sourcing pigments and titanium dioxide from China
Inorganic pigments and preparations from China, including titanium dioxide, chrome pigments, ultramarine and luminophores, pay mostly 6% UK duty, with 0% for magnetite and 4% for luminophores. Imports of rutile titanium dioxide from China have been registered since 27 March 2026 during a Trade Remedies Authority anti-dumping investigation. Cambridge China Bridge sources pigments.
Titanium dioxide, chrome, ultramarine and other inorganic pigments pay mostly 6% UK duty from China. The rutile TiO2 investigation and a worked example.
Mostly 6%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide or chromium compounds, ultramarine, lithopone and other zinc sulphide pigments and other colouring matter of heading 3206 carried 6% duty on goods from China, magnetite 0% and inorganic luminophores 4%. Several named pigments have their own lines.
Iron oxide pigments are in heading 2821, organic pigments and dyes in 3204, and ready-made paints in 3208 to 3210; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium dioxide pigments, 80% TiO2 or more, other | 3206 11 00 30 | 6% | Registration of rutile TiO2 since 27 March 2026 |
| Other titanium dioxide preparations | 3206 19 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Chromium-based pigments, other | 3206 20 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Ultramarine, other | 3206 41 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Lithopone and zinc sulphide pigments | 3206 42 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Magnetite | 3206 49 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other colouring matter, other | 3206 49 70 90 | 6% | None |
| Luminophores | 3206 50 00 00 | 4% | None |
The titanium dioxide investigation
The Trade Remedies Authority opened an anti-dumping investigation into rutile titanium dioxide from China on 3 March 2026, and a notice registering those imports took effect from 27 March 2026. On 25 September 2026 the tariff showed the registration, with additional code 8A60 for rutile titanium dioxide and 8A61 for other goods under the code, but no anti-dumping duty. Registration means that, if a definitive duty is imposed, it can be applied to imports made during the registration period, so price contracts for rutile titanium dioxide should say who carries that risk.
Chemical rules
Pigments are substances or mixtures under UK REACH and GB CLP, so importers above one tonne a year need a registration position, and hazardous grades need labels and safety data sheets. The lead chromate pigments C.I. Pigment Yellow 34 and C.I. Pigment Red 104 are on the UK REACH authorisation list in Annex XIV, so they cannot be used in Great Britain without an authorisation. Pigments for toys, cosmetics or food contact materials must also meet the heavy metal limits of those regimes.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 10 tonnes of pigment preparations, commodity code 3206 49 70 90, bought for £24,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance, so £26,000 is the value customs works from. Duty at the 6% rate for pigment preparations is £1,560. VAT at 20% applies to £27,560, so £5,512. A VAT-registered buyer usually recovers the VAT, so the border adds £1,560 to the landed cost. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
What goes wrong
Pigments fail on shade, dispersion and grade. A batch that matches the standard in a drawdown can still differ in tinting strength, so paint or plastic made from it is off shade. Poor surface treatment leaves titanium dioxide that disperses badly or chalks outdoors, anatase supplied against a rutile order yellows and weathers faster, and bags that are not moisture-proof cake in the container.
Agree a reference sample and test each batch against it for shade, tinting strength and oil absorption, ask for the certificate of analysis showing crystal form and surface treatment for titanium dioxide, check heavy metals for regulated end uses, and specify lined bags on shrink-wrapped pallets.
Cambridge China Bridge sources titanium dioxide, inorganic pigments and pigment preparations, with batch testing, chemical compliance and the trade remedy position agreed before the order. See how we source chemicals and raw materials.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on titanium dioxide from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, titanium dioxide pigments carried 6% duty from China; rutile grades have been registered since 27 March 2026 during an anti-dumping investigation.
Is there anti-dumping duty on titanium dioxide from China?
Not on 25 September 2026, but imports of rutile titanium dioxide are registered, so a later duty could apply to them.
Can lead chromate pigments be used in Great Britain?
Only with a UK REACH authorisation, because Pigment Yellow 34 and Pigment Red 104 are on the Annex XIV list.
Where do iron oxide pigments go?
Iron oxides are in heading 2821, not 3206.