Sourcing polyamide-imide resin from China

Polyamide-imide resin duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3911 covers specified resins and polymers in primary forms. This guide concerns polyamide-imide resin. The named line 3911 90 19 25 covers the listed polymer chemistries with not more than 35% additives by weight. The table separates buying descriptions that share a commodity code; it does not represent separate tariff lines.

The named line and residual line 3911 90 19 90 carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension on these lines. It attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; for a China shipment, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before dispatch.

Obtain the polymer identity, complete formulation and supplied physical form before confirming the commodity code. Do not choose the residual line merely because the supplier uses a different trade name. See the wider polyimide resin guide for related products.

Specify the polymer chemistry and processing grade

Specify polyamide-imide explicitly rather than accepting a generic polyimide description. Agree the polymer identity, additive and filler content, powder or granule form, colour and intended processing route. Ask the producer to identify whether the supplied formulation matches the named tariff description.

Agree moisture, viscosity test conditions, particle size where relevant, residual solvent checks, storage instructions and the processing and curing procedure. Set acceptance criteria using an approved sample and trials in your own process. Request a batch certificate of analysis and retain a reference sample.

Confirm with the Health and Safety Executive whether UK REACH registration requirements or exemptions apply to the polymer, its monomers and additives. Obtain the supplier's registration position and safety data sheet, and review the hazard classification for the actual formulation, including residual solvents.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of listed polyamide-imide resin under 3911 90 19 25, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,500, so it is £3,900. 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: match the producer, grade, polymer chemistry and filler declaration to the purchase specification and batch certificate.

Condition: check for moisture exposure, caking, foreign particles, mixed colours and damaged inner packaging.

Performance: compare agreed moisture and viscosity results with the approved sample, then run a processing and curing trial before releasing the batch.

Packing: check seals, batch identification, production information and storage instructions against the order. Use the quality inspection guide to organise arrival checks.

What goes wrong

A substitute grade can have a similar name but different polymer chemistry or filler content. This can undermine both classification and processing acceptance. Moisture, contamination or a change in viscosity can also make an apparently matching batch unsuitable for the buyer's process.

Do not accept a generic datasheet as batch evidence. Resolve discrepancies between the formulation declaration, certificate and sample before shipment, and hold an arrival batch pending investigation if its processing trial differs from the approved material.

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.