Sourcing press-on nails from China
Plastic press-on nails entered under 3926 90 97 90 carry 6% UK duty from China; the selected variants share that rate. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Confirm classification for packs containing glue and check materials, fit and instructions before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources press-on nails.
Duty on plastic press-on nails
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 3926 covers other articles of plastics. For plastic press-on nails entered under 3926 90 97 90, the recorded China duty is 6%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The table shows product variants sharing this residual code, rather than separate tariff lines.
The recorded suspensions concern specified technical or protective products, not ordinary press-on nails. The tariff also attaches veterinary control, an import prohibition on goods for torture and repression, and an export restriction for such goods. Confirm the requirements for your actual materials and shipment with your customs broker; these entries alone do not establish that ordinary plastic nails need veterinary clearance or are prohibited.
Send the material description, photographs and full pack contents to your broker to confirm the commodity code, particularly when glue or preparation liquids are included. For related nail products, see nail polish.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain plastic press-on nails, without adhesive | 3926 90 97 90 | 6% | None |
Specify nail shape, size assortment and adhesive
Specify resin, nail width and curvature, length, tip shape, thickness, colour and finish. Record the size assortment and pack contents, including adhesive tabs, liquid glue and removal accessories. Approve a retained sample for each design, with particular attention to the cuticle edge and how the nail sits against the natural nail.
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Ask for material information covering the plastic, coatings and decorations. Confirm with the relevant authority whether UK REACH candidate-list substances in the article trigger safe-use information requirements for the recipient, including disclosure of the substance name.
If liquid glue is included, request its composition, safety data sheet and proposed label for review. Where a chemical could cause harm, the supplier is expected to provide hazard information on its label. Agree application and removal instructions alongside practical wear checks; do not approve the nail shell while leaving the adhesive unspecified.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 retail packs of plastic press-on nails without adhesive under 3926 90 97 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 6% is £384. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,784, so it is £1,356.80. Import taxes total £1,740.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £384 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare widths, curvature and cuticle edges with approved samples; check for sharp flash, cracking and uneven thickness.
Finish: check colour, print alignment, scratches, coating adhesion and attachment of decorations.
Pack contents: verify the size assortment, matching designs, adhesive accessories and protection against crushing; check liquid glue containers for leakage.
Information: compare instructions, warnings, business contact details and batch identification with the approved artwork. Record arrival defects by batch and use the quality inspection guide to plan checks.
What goes wrong
A set can match the artwork yet fit poorly because the factory changes curvature or mixes size assortments. Thin tips split, cuticle edges lift, coatings scratch and decorations detach. Reject unexplained resin or adhesive substitutions and compare bulk samples with retained approval samples.
A glue change can also invalidate the agreed wear and removal checks. Keep nail shells, adhesive and instructions tied to the same approved pack specification, and investigate leakage or skin-reaction complaints before accepting repeat stock.
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 press-on nails from China?
Plastic press-on nails entered under 3926 90 97 90 carry 6% in the supplied tariff snapshot. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded; confirm the code for your pack.
Can I use the same code for a set containing nail glue?
Have your broker assess the complete retail pack, including glue and preparation liquids. Do not assume the classification of the plastic nails settles the classification of every set.
What should I ask the press-on nail factory to specify?
Resin, widths, curvature, length, thickness, finish, size assortment and pack contents. Fix the adhesive and application and removal instructions before approving production.
What should I check when press-on nails arrive?
Check fit against retained samples, sharp edges, cracking, coating adhesion, decorations and size assortments. Inspect glue containers for leakage and compare the pack information with approved artwork.