Sourcing polymer metal deactivators from China

0% duty on relevant prepared stabiliser lines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3812 covers prepared rubber accelerators, compound plasticisers and anti-oxidising preparations or other compound stabilisers for rubber or plastics. This guide concerns prepared polymer metal-deactivator blends. See the polymer antioxidant blends guide for wider heading coverage.

The supplied tariff data records 0% duty for goods from China on every listed line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The table repeats the residual stabiliser line for different supplied forms; these are not separate tariff subdivisions. An antioxidant preparation may instead fit 3812 39 10 00, depending on its composition and function.

Confirm the commodity code using the full formulation, carrier and intended function. Heading 3812 covers preparations and mixtures; do not assume a single chemically defined substance has the same classification. UK REACH registration applies to substances in mixtures. Review the constituent substances and your registration obligations before placing an order.

Specify the blend for your polymer and metal contact

State the polymer, metal in contact with it, processing conditions and intended service environment. Specify the metal-deactivator chemistry, active content, antioxidant co-components, carrier, physical form, moisture and acceptance tolerances. Ask for the full composition, batch analysis certificate and an English safety data sheet.

Approve the blend in your own compound against the current grade, including ageing with the intended metal contact. Record dispersion, colour change and retained mechanical properties. For hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use, a safety data sheet is required. Suppliers are responsible for correct labelling and packaging before placing substances or mixtures on the market.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 600 kg of prepared polymer metal-deactivator powder blend under 3812 39 90 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,600, so it is £920. 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: compare the delivered batch analysis and ingredient declaration with the approved formulation; test active content and the agreed chemical fingerprint.

Physical form: check moisture, caking, particle distribution and carrier consistency against the specification; trial dispersion in your polymer.

Metal-contact performance: age the actual compound with the intended metal and compare colour and mechanical performance with the approved sample.

Packing and documents: check seals, batch identity and net weight; match the labels and English safety data sheet to the delivered blend. Plan the checks using our quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A replacement grade can match the supplier's active-content result yet differ in carrier, co-antioxidants or dispersion. Ageing results without the intended metal contact can miss the failure your application needs to prevent. Reject unapproved formulation changes and compare incoming material with the retained approval sample.

Wet or compacted powder can feed unevenly, while an unfamiliar carrier can change processing behaviour. Keep suspect batches separate until identity, dispersion and application trials are satisfactory. A generic safety data sheet or a certificate for another batch does not establish the delivered formulation.

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.