Sourcing polymethyl acrylate resin from China
Polymethyl acrylate resin from China normally carries 6% UK duty on the residual acrylic-polymer line. That line lists a conditional 0% suspension, not a general resin exemption. Confirm with HSE whether the polymer is exempt from UK REACH registration and what obligations apply to its monomers and additives. Cambridge China Bridge sources polymethyl acrylate resin.
Normally 6% duty; check any suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3906 covers acrylic polymers in primary forms. For polymethyl acrylate resin, check the residual line 3906 90 90 90 against the actual composition and supplied form. The table shows possible supply forms against that same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. See the wider acrylic polymers guide for neighbouring products.
The supplied tariff facts show 6% duty for goods from China on this line and no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. They also list a conditional 0% suspension, but the transparent acrylic polymer specification is truncated. Do not assume your resin qualifies. The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; confirm any requirement for a China shipment with your customs broker before buying material whose waste status is uncertain.
Give your broker the polymer identity, monomer composition, additives, solvent or water content, and intended use to confirm the commodity code. A supplier's description of “acrylic resin” is insufficient to distinguish polymethyl acrylate from polymethyl methacrylate or a copolymer. Confirm suspension eligibility separately before using a reduced duty in your costing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polymethyl acrylate resin in solid primary form, subject to composition | 3906 90 90 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the polymer and its supplied form
Name polymethyl acrylate explicitly and state whether you require a homopolymer or permit a copolymer. Specify solid resin, solution or aqueous dispersion; identify the carrier and additives. Agree solids content, viscosity with its measurement conditions, residual monomer, colour, storage conditions and shelf life. Approve a sample in your actual coating, adhesive or formulation process.
Confirm with HSE whether the polymer itself is exempt from UK REACH registration, and check the obligations for its monomers and additives. Before supply in Great Britain, check classification, labelling and packaging for the actual formulation. A hazardous chemical supplied for workplace use requires a safety data sheet. Assess the supplied solution or dispersion rather than relying only on the polymer name.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of polymethyl acrylate resin dispersion under 3906 90 90 90, 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 6% is £1,170. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,670, so it is £4,134. Import taxes total £5,304; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,170 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: check the grade, formulation and batch certificate against the approved resin sample.
Consistency: check solids content and viscosity using the agreed conditions; compare a retained sample with the batch certificate.
Condition: inspect for separation, skinning, gel particles, contamination and colour change; run the agreed application trial.
Packing: check seals, leaks, batch identification and storage instructions; match the safety data sheet and labels to the supplied formulation.
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What goes wrong
A quotation for acrylic resin can conceal a different polymer or an undisclosed copolymer. Extra carrier can make a delivery appear cheaper while changing solids content and drying behaviour. Viscosity results are difficult to compare when the supplier changes the test temperature or method. Separation, skinning and gel particles can make a dispersion unsuitable for your process.
Release the batch against the agreed formulation and application trial, not the trade name alone. Keep samples from the approved material and delivered lot. Ask for the complete suspension specification before accepting a duty saving, and resolve uncertain waste status with your broker before shipment.
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 polymethyl acrylate resin from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 6% on 3906 90 90 90, with no listed trade remedy. A conditional 0% suspension exists, but its wording is truncated; confirm eligibility before claiming it.
Is polymethyl acrylate the same as polymethyl methacrylate?
They are different polymers. Specify the full polymer name and composition, and check these against the sample and batch certificate rather than accepting “acrylic resin”.
Does polymethyl acrylate resin need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether the polymer itself is exempt from registration. Check obligations for its monomers and additives, and assess the supplied formulation's hazards and safety data sheet requirements.
What should I test before accepting a resin batch?
Check polymer identity, solids content, viscosity under agreed conditions, colour and physical stability. Trial the batch in your own formulation and compare it with the approved sample.