PVC and PTFE resins from China

6%, suspensions and a live investigation

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, PVC not mixed with other substances, non-plasticised and plasticised PVC compounds, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, PTFE, fluoroelastomers (FKM) and other fluoropolymers carried 6% duty on goods from China. PTFE (CAS RN 9002-84-0) has entered at 0% since 5 August 2026 under a suspension to 31 December 2028, and PVDF and ETFE at 0% under a suspension to the same date; neither covers mixtures or preparations.

The Trade Remedies Authority opened an anti-dumping investigation into suspension PVC (S-PVC) from China, Mexico and South Korea on 4 August 2026, on an application from INOVYN ChlorVinyls, the only UK producer. HMRC has registered imports under 3904 10 00 15 and 3904 10 00 80 since 11 August 2026, which means a definitive duty could be charged on registered goods from up to 90 days before any provisional duty. Confirm the commodity code and follow the case on the Trade Remedies Service before signing a long contract.

Food contact, plasticisers and grade data

PVC and fluoropolymers used for food films, bottles, hoses or coatings must comply with retained Regulation 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials, so ask for a declaration of compliance naming the grade; see our food contact guide. Plasticised compounds for articles must stay below the 0.1% limit on DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP in UK REACH Annex XVII entry 51, and many buyers also specify a lead-free stabiliser system.

S-PVC is bought by K-value, which sets how it processes into pipe, profile or film, measured by the viscosity method of ISO 1628-2, with bulk density to ISO 60 and a limit on volatile matter. Granular PTFE is specified to ASTM D4894 and fine powder to ASTM D4895, and many customers ask for a declaration that no PFOA-based processing aid was used. Our PVC profiles guide covers finished shapes.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 25 tonnes of suspension PVC resin under 3904 10 00 80. At £18,000 free on board and £2,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £20,500. S-PVC resin at 6% pay £1,230 of duty; VAT is then worked out on value plus duty, £21,730, giving £4,346. Of the £5,576 paid at import, only the £1,230 of duty stays a cost for a VAT-registered business. Because imports are registered, an anti-dumping duty imposed at the end of the investigation could also be charged on this shipment after the event, so leave room for it in the price or the contract. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

What goes wrong

Resin lots fail in the extruder. The K-value drifts from the grade so pipe or profile runs differently, porosity changes plasticiser uptake, black specks and fish-eyes appear, and residual vinyl chloride monomer is not reported. PTFE arrives with the wrong particle size for moulding or paste extrusion, and reprocessed material is mixed in. Bags split and pick up moisture on the way.

Test each lot against the grade data sheet for K-value, bulk density, volatile matter and contamination count, run a trial on the customer's line before a regular contract, ask for residual monomer on the certificate, check PTFE particle size and specific gravity, and inspect bag labels, lot numbers and pallet wrap before loading.

Cambridge China Bridge sources PVC resin, PVC compounds, PTFE and other fluoropolymers for pipe, profile, cable and seal makers, and can line up an alternative producer while the S-PVC investigation runs. See our second-supplier service.