Sourcing PVDF resin from China

PVDF duty and suspension eligibility

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 3904 covers polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms. PVDF resin falls within the other fluoropolymers line, 3904 69 80 99. The table shows different purchasing forms under the same tariff line. See the wider resin guide for other polymers.

The supplied tariff facts show 6% standard duty for goods from China and a suspension to 0% covering poly(vinylidene fluoride). It excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the listed polymers. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for this line. Obtain the complete composition before costing a filled, blended or formulated grade.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For material offered as waste or scrap from China, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipping. For notified waste imports into England, the exporter applies for consent through the competent authority in the dispatch country. Confirm the commodity code using the composition and physical form.

Specify the PVDF grade and processing route

Specify homopolymer or copolymer, powder or pellets, virgin or reprocessed material, and every additive or filler. State whether the resin is for extrusion, moulding, coatings, membranes or battery binders. Agree melt viscosity or melt flow with its test conditions, particle size for powders, moisture, colour and contamination limits. For solution processing, agree the solvent and a dissolution trial.

Confirm with HSE the UK REACH registration position for the polymer, monomers and additives, including any applicable exemption. Ask for the supplier's registration position and safety data sheet. Approve a sample on your own process and retain it as the comparison for subsequent lots.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: One tonne of unblended PVDF resin powder; illustrative order, with suspension eligibility confirmed under 3904 69 80 99, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 6% is £1,170. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,670, so it is £4,134. Import taxes total £5,304; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,170 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: check the manufacturer, grade, composition and batch certificate against the approved sample.

Processing: check viscosity or melt flow under the agreed conditions; test powder dissolution where relevant.

Contamination: check for black specks, foreign particles, mixed pellets and powder agglomerates.

Packing: check sealed liners, damaged bags, batch labels and signs of moisture; retain samples using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A resin sold simply as PVDF can have the wrong molecular characteristics for the buyer's process. Viscosity drift can change extrusion behaviour; unsuitable powder can dissolve poorly or produce uneven coatings. Foreign particles can spoil membranes or binder mixtures. Compare each delivery with the approved grade before releasing it to production.

A filled compound or formulated coating can also be incorrectly costed as suspended unblended resin. Match the composition on the invoice, technical data sheet and batch certificate, and confirm suspension eligibility before agreeing the landed cost.

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.