Sourcing polyethyl acrylate resin from China
Polyethyl acrylate resin from China normally carries 6% UK duty; heading 3906 spans 0% to 6%, with specific suspensions. Confirm the polymer composition and check UK REACH obligations for its monomers and additives before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyethyl acrylate resin.
Normally 6% for polyethyl acrylate resin
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3906 covers acrylic polymers in primary forms. For ordinary polyethyl acrylate resin, check the residual code 3906 90 90 90 against the complete composition. The other table rows are related copolymer comparison lines, not alternative descriptions of pure polyethyl acrylate. See the wider acrylic polymers guide.
The supplied tariff record shows 6% duty on the residual line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Its 0% suspension is specification-dependent, and the supplied footnote is incomplete: confirm eligibility before claiming relief. The listed copolymers under 3906 90 90 43 and 3906 90 90 50 also have suspensions; the blend under 3906 90 90 28 does not.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls to these lines. Confirm the import requirement with your customs broker if the material may be waste. For waste entering England under notification controls, shipment can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Confirm the commodity code using the formulation and physical form.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other acrylic polymers, including polyethyl acrylate resin where applicable | 3906 90 90 90 | 6% | None |
| Listed core-shell polymer blend containing ethyl acrylate copolymers | 3906 90 90 28 | 6% | None |
| Acrylic ester polymers containing the listed additional monomers | 3906 90 90 50 | 6% | None |
| Listed methacrylic ester, butyl acrylate and siloxane copolymer | 3906 90 90 43 | 6% | None |
Specify the ethyl acrylate polymer and supplied form
Ask whether the grade is an ethyl acrylate homopolymer or a copolymer. Record the monomers, additives and whether it is supplied as neat resin, a solution or an aqueous dispersion. Distinguish it from polyethyl methacrylate and from unpolymerised ethyl acrylate. Agree solids content, viscosity with its measurement temperature and method, residual monomer, colour, storage conditions and shelf life.
Confirm with HSE whether the polymer is exempt from UK REACH registration, and check the obligations for its monomers and additives. Check the formulation's hazard classification and the applicable labelling and packaging duties before sale in Great Britain. A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for workplace use. Check whether the composition also requires one for a grade not classified as hazardous.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of drummed polyethyl acrylate resin under 3906 90 90 90, invoiced at £2,600 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,100. Duty at 6% is £186. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,286, so it is £657.20. Import taxes total £843.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £186 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the batch certificate and formulation to the approved polymer grade, including any declared copolymer or carrier.
Consistency: check solids and viscosity against agreed limits using the agreed method; compare a retained sample with the approved sample.
Condition: inspect for contamination, skinning, gel particles or separation; trial the material in the intended coating or adhesive formulation.
Packing: check drum seals, leaks, batch identification and remaining shelf life before release. Plan sampling through the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier's generic 'acrylic resin' description can hide a different monomer composition or supplied form. A sample may work while the shipment has different solids or viscosity. Separation, skinning and contamination can make a dispersion difficult to use. Agree acceptance checks and retain batch samples so a formulation change can be distinguished from transport damage.
A suspension for a named copolymer does not establish relief for ordinary polyethyl acrylate resin. Resolve incomplete suspension wording before costing the order, and establish whether off-grade or recovered material is being supplied as a product or as waste before shipping.
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 polyethyl acrylate resin from China?
Normally 6% under 3906 90 90 90, subject to classification. The supplied record shows a conditional 0% suspension with incomplete wording, so confirm eligibility rather than assuming relief.
Does polyethyl acrylate resin need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether the polymer is exempt from registration. Check the obligations for the monomers and additives in the imported grade.
What should I ask a Chinese resin supplier for?
Ask for polymer identity, full formulation, supplied form, solids, viscosity and test method, residual monomer, storage conditions, shelf life and a batch certificate.
Does the tariff waste control apply to my resin?
The tariff attaches a waste control to the likely residual line. Confirm the requirement with your broker. Waste entering England under notification controls needs the relevant authorities' consent before shipment.