Sourcing polycarbonate pellets from China
Polycarbonate resin pellets from China carry UK duty of 0% to 6%, depending on suspension eligibility. Qualifying polycarbonate granules enter at 0%; mixtures do not automatically qualify. Confirm the UK REACH registration position for the polymer and its monomers with HSE before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources polycarbonate resin pellets.
Polycarbonate pellet duty and suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 3907 covers several resins in primary forms. This guide concerns polycarbonate pellets. The table separates buying grades that share 3907 40 00 90 from the specifically described optical blend under 3907 40 00 25. See the wider resin guide.
The selected lines carry a standard duty of 6% for goods from China, with autonomous suspensions to 0% and no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. For 3907 40 00 90, the suspension specifically covers polycarbonate granules and excludes mixtures or preparations containing them. The published reference guide records document 9Y12 and expiry on 31 December 2026. Confirm eligibility for the actual formulation rather than assuming all pellet grades qualify.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For recycled or off-grade material from China, confirm its status and the applicable import requirement with your customs broker before shipment. Match the composition, physical form and optical properties to the tariff description when confirming your commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other polycarbonate pellets, natural injection-moulding grades | 3907 40 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Specified high-transmittance polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate blend pellets | 3907 40 00 25 | 6% | None |
Specify the pellet grade and moulding behaviour
Specify the producer and exact grade, injection moulding or extrusion use, virgin or recycled content, colour, transparency, melt flow, impact strength and heat resistance. State any flame-retardant formulation and agree moisture limits, drying instructions and sealed moisture-resistant packing. Require approval before any change of producer, formulation or recycled content.
Confirm the UK REACH registration position for the polymer, its monomers and other constituent substances with HSE. Obtain the supplier's registration position and safety data sheet for the actual formulation. Before sale in Great Britain, ensure substances and mixtures are correctly labelled and packaged. For food packaging applications, obtain the grade-specific declaration of compliance and migration evidence described in the wider resin guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of polycarbonate pellets; confirm suspension eligibility under 3907 40 00 90, 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: check bag labels, producer, grade and lot numbers against the order and each batch certificate of analysis.
Flow and appearance: compare melt flow and yellowness on moulded plaques with the approved sample; inspect pellets for black specks, fines and mixed colours.
Moisture and packing: check moisture against the agreed limit and inspect liners, seals and bags for damage or water ingress.
Processing: trial the delivered lot using the agreed drying and moulding conditions before releasing it to production. Record results and retain a sample through your quality inspection process.
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What goes wrong
The grade name stays the same while melt flow, colour or recycled content changes. A certificate for a different lot can hide the substitution. Damaged moisture protection and contamination can leave a delivered batch behaving differently from the approved sample. Compare both paperwork and moulded trial pieces before production.
A coloured or modified pellet is assumed to qualify for the granule suspension without checking its composition. Keep the formulation and pellet-form evidence with the customs paperwork, and ask the broker to confirm the suspension claim before costing the order.
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 polycarbonate pellets from China?
The standard rate is 6%. Qualifying polycarbonate granules under 3907 40 00 90 have a 0% suspension. The recorded measures show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do coloured polycarbonate pellets qualify for duty suspension?
Do not assume they qualify. The granule suspension excludes mixtures and preparations containing polycarbonate. Have the broker check the exact formulation and applicable tariff line.
Do polycarbonate pellets need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether registration applies to the polymer, its monomers or other constituent substances. Check the supplier's registration position for the actual grade.
What should I check when polycarbonate pellets arrive?
Check grade and lot identity, batch analysis, melt flow, moisture, colour, contamination and bag seals. Trial the delivered material against the approved sample before production.