Sourcing random copolymer resin from China

6% for ordinary random copolymer resin

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3902 covers polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms. Ordinary polypropylene random copolymer resin falls within the other propylene copolymers line, 3902 30 00 99, subject to confirmation of composition. Its standard China duty is 6%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded in the supplied tariff facts. The table separates application grades sharing this code.

The line lists an autonomous suspension at 0.00 % for a specified block copolymer. Do not apply that relief to ordinary random copolymer resin simply because the commodity code matches. The suspension footnote excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the listed product.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For waste imported into England under notification controls, shipment requires consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Confirm the requirements for a China shipment with your customs broker before ordering recovered material. Confirm the commodity code using the composition and datasheet. See the wider polypropylene guide for other materials within the heading.

Specify the random copolymer grade and end use

Specify random copolymer rather than accepting a quotation that says only polypropylene. State whether the resin is for injection moulding, film or pipe extrusion. Agree melt flow rate and its test conditions, comonomer identity and content, stiffness, impact performance, colour and additive package. For transparent mouldings, compare haze and clarity on moulded samples of the same thickness.

Name your current reference grade and run the proposed resin through your own process. For pipe resin, agree the evidence you need for pressure and temperature performance before accepting a substitute. Record whether material is virgin or recycled and agree contamination limits and batch traceability.

For food contact use, obtain a declaration of compliance naming the grade, migration testing and relevant additives, as explained in the published polypropylene guide. Confirm with HSE how UK REACH registration requirements apply to the polymer, monomers and additives, including any upstream coverage. Check that position for the actual formulation before importing.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 24 tonnes of injection-moulding random copolymer resin under 3902 30 00 99, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,000. Duty at 6% is £1,680. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,680, so it is £5,936. Import taxes total £7,616; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,680 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match manufacturer, grade and batch numbers on bags, datasheets and certificates of analysis; compare the declared composition with the approved resin.

Flow and mechanics: sample across bags and batches; compare melt flow rate, stiffness and impact results using the same test conditions as the approved grade.

Appearance and processing: check pellets for black specks, fines and foreign material; run a moulding or extrusion trial and compare clarity, surface finish and dimensional stability.

Packing and records: check bags and liners for tears, seal damage and contamination; retain batch samples and match food contact documents to the supplied grade. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspection.

What goes wrong

A similar melt flow rate does not establish that a substitute has the same copolymer structure or additive package. An unapproved grade can change clarity, stiffness or processing behaviour. Contaminated pellets can leave black specks in clear containers, while inconsistent batches force changes to moulding or extrusion settings.

Keep the approved specification and retained sample tied to the purchase order. Compare arrival samples before releasing the resin into production. Do not accept a generic food-grade statement in place of documents naming the supplied grade, or budget for suspended duty without checking the suspension description.

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.