Sourcing zinc sulphide blends from China
Prepared zinc sulphide pigment blends from China carry 6% UK duty under 3206 42 00 00. The lithopone suspension excludes mixtures and preparations, so it does not make a prepared blend duty-free. Check constituent substances under UK REACH and the blend's hazard classification. Cambridge China Bridge sources prepared zinc sulphide pigments.
6% duty on prepared pigment blends
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3206 includes inorganic colouring matter and pigment preparations. Its zinc sulphide line, 3206 42 00 00, covers lithopone and other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulphide. The table gives buying descriptions under this same tariff line. See the wider lithopone pigment guide.
The supplied tariff record shows 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on this line. Its 0.00 % suspension applies only to lithopone and excludes mixtures, preparations and products made from different components containing it. Prepared blends therefore retain the standard duty. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
The tariff attaches an import waste control and also lists a waste export control. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For material offered as recovered pigment or production residue from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirement before shipment. Confirm the commodity code using the complete formulation and supplied form.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared zinc sulphide pigment blends | 3206 42 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the complete zinc sulphide blend
Ask for the zinc sulphide content, any lithopone, fillers, dispersants and surface treatments, with an agreed formulation and change approval. Specify shade, tinting strength, hiding power, particle size, moisture and oil absorption against a retained sample. Test dispersion in your actual paint, plastic or rubber formulation rather than accepting a powder colour match.
For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position for each constituent substance across your imports. Importers are responsible for chemical classification, and hazardous grades need appropriate labels. Confirm the applicable safety data sheet requirements with HSE. Ask for documents matching the complete supplied blend, including its additives.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10 tonnes of prepared zinc sulphide pigment blend under 3206 42 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,000. Duty at 6% is £1,560. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,560, so it is £5,512. Import taxes total £7,072; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,560 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the bag labels, batch references and certificate of analysis to the approved formulation.
Performance: compare shade, tinting strength and hiding power against the retained sample in the intended application.
Dispersion: check for gritty particles, persistent agglomerates and unacceptable changes in processing or viscosity.
Packing: inspect liners, seals and moisture damage; check sampled bag weights and keep an arrival sample.
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What goes wrong
A supplier changes filler or dispersant while keeping the same product name. The powder looks similar but the blend gives weaker coverage, a different shade or poor dispersion. Agree formulation change approval and compare production samples in your own process.
Damp packing causes caking, while documents for the base pigment omit the blend's additives. Another error is costing a prepared blend using the lithopone suspension. Check the actual formulation, paperwork and suspension exclusion before ordering.
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 prepared zinc sulphide pigments from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 6% under 3206 42 00 00. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on this line.
Does the lithopone duty suspension cover prepared blends?
No. The supplied suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made from different components containing lithopone.
Do zinc sulphide blends need UK REACH registration?
Check each constituent substance. Ask HSE to confirm the registration requirements for your GB imports and any applicable representative coverage or transitional arrangements.
How do I check a zinc sulphide pigment blend before buying?
Obtain the complete formulation and test shade, strength, hiding power and dispersion against an approved sample in your intended application. Match production batch documents to that formulation.