Sourcing Polyethylene Wax from China

Polyethylene wax duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 3404 covers artificial and prepared waxes. Polyethylene wax falls within the other artificial and prepared waxes line, 3404 90 00 00. The forms shown in the table share this commodity line; they are not separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Polyethylene glycol is a different product, covered by 3404 20 00 00. See the wider wax guide for the heading's other products.

Ask for the composition and product identity, rather than accepting a supplier's description of 'wax'. Confirm the commodity code before shipment. Zero duty does not remove chemical supply responsibilities: substances and mixtures must be correctly labelled and packaged before being placed on the Great Britain market.

Specify melt viscosity and particle size

State whether you want unmodified or oxidised polyethylene wax, its intended use, and its form. Agree molecular weight information, melting behaviour, colour and melt viscosity, including the measurement temperature and method. For powder, agree the particle size distribution and test method, rather than accepting 'fine powder' as a specification.

Approve a sample in your own plastics, ink or coating process. Record dispersion, surface appearance and processing behaviour, and retain the approved sample for batch comparisons. Ask for the composition, batch test results and safety data sheet. If the chemical is hazardous and supplied for workplace use, a safety data sheet is required.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of bagged polyethylene wax granules, illustrative order under 3404 90 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,200, so it is £6,440. 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: check the supplier's grade, composition and batch references against the purchase specification and approved sample.

Batch tests: compare melting behaviour, melt viscosity at the agreed temperature and colour with the agreed acceptance criteria.

Powder: check particle size distribution, coarse particles and dispersion in your actual formulation.

Packaging: check sealed bags, contamination, caking and batch identification; review chemical labels and packaging against the supplied product.

What goes wrong

A powder coarser than the approved sample disperses poorly. Changes in melt viscosity or melting behaviour can alter processing performance even when the bags carry the same grade name. Wet, damaged or contaminated bags make handling and batch comparisons harder.

Hold material that fails the agreed checks while the supplier investigates. Keep samples from the delivery and the approved batch, together with test methods and results. Use the inspection guide to agree what the inspector checks before dispatch.

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.