Sourcing PMMA acrylic scrap from China

0% duty on PMMA acrylic scrap

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 14 November 2026, heading 3915 covers waste, parings and scrap of plastics. PMMA acrylic scrap falls within the other-plastics line, 3915 90 70 00, carrying 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control on this line. The table shows different forms under the same commodity code.

Waste-shipment rules apply even though this tariff line has no attached control. Clean, sorted scrap for recycling is treated differently from mixed or contaminated plastic waste, which needs prior notification and consent. For imports into England that qualify for green-list controls, the importer needs a written contract with the exporter before shipment, and the completed, signed Annex VII document must accompany the waste.

Confirm the commodity code and waste procedure with your customs broker, receiving recycler and regulator before dispatch from China. Recycled pellets that are no longer waste are classified as primary plastics rather than scrap. For related material within the wider heading, see polycarbonate scrap.

Specify the PMMA feedstock and recycling route

Specify PMMA rather than simply asking for acrylic scrap. Separate clear, coloured and opaque material, and distinguish cast-sheet offcuts, extruded-sheet offcuts, rod offcuts and production lumps. State whether protective film, adhesive, printed surfaces or coatings are accepted. Agree limits for other polymers, metal, paper, dirt and moisture, plus the sampling method and the receiving recycler's intended process.

Ask for photographs of the unsorted feedstock and finished bags, production-source records and a retained sample. Agree how contamination and unusable material affect acceptance. Before reselling scrap in England or Wales, check that the receiving business is authorised to take the waste.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of sorted PMMA acrylic sheet offcuts under 3915 90 70 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,000, so it is £2,200. 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

Identity: sample material from different bags and confirm it is PMMA using polymer identification, rather than judging transparent pieces by appearance.

Contamination: check protective film, adhesive, paint, labels, metal and other plastics against the agreed acceptance limits.

Condition: check moisture, dirt, discolouration and burnt material; compare particle size or offcut dimensions with the agreed sample.

Documents: match the load, bag markings, source records and receiving facility details to the shipment paperwork. Use the inspection guide to agree sampling before loading.

What goes wrong

Transparent polycarbonate can be mixed into material sold as acrylic. Protective film and adhesive can remain on offcuts, while regrind can hide coloured pieces, dirt or other polymers. A sample taken only from the top of a bag can miss contamination deeper inside.

Keep clear and coloured streams separate, inspect before loading and record arrival findings against the retained sample. An invoice describing the material as recycled acrylic does not settle its waste procedure. Resolve the classification and receiving recycler's acceptance before booking freight.

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.