Sourcing resin-coated foundry sand from China
Resin-coated foundry sand assessed as a foundry auxiliary carries 6% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. Confirm the code from the formulation, check chemical labelling and safety information, and match the sand to your shell process. Cambridge China Bridge sources resin-coated foundry sand.
Duty and classification for coated sand
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3824 covers prepared foundry binders and other specified chemical preparations. Foundry auxiliaries under 3824 99 65 00 carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension listed. The table repeats this line for different purchase specifications, conditional on classification. Separately supplied synthetic-resin binders have their own line; see the wider foundry core binders guide.
The tariff attaches an import waste control to the foundry auxiliary line. If sand from China is waste subject to notification controls, shipment to England must await consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Confirm waste status and the procedure with your customs broker. The record also lists export controls concerning waste, dangerous chemicals and torture or repression goods; ask the broker to assess these before an onward export.
Send the broker the base mineral, resin and curing-agent composition, manufacturing process, intended foundry use and safety information. Confirm the commodity code before ordering rather than relying on the supplier's description of coated sand.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin-coated sand for shell moulds, subject to classification | 3824 99 65 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the sand, coating and shell process
Specify the base mineral, grain shape, sieve distribution, fines, resin chemistry, coating content, curing agent, moisture and loss on ignition. Agree test methods alongside acceptance limits. State the casting alloy, core or mould application, tooling temperature and curing cycle so the supplier can propose a grade for your process.
Ask for hot and cold strength results, gas evolution, flowability and breakdown behaviour after casting. Trial a representative batch in your tooling and retain an approved sample. Agree moisture-resistant packing, batch identification, storage conditions and usable shelf life.
UK REACH requires businesses to identify and manage the risks of substances they manufacture and place on the Great Britain market. Everyone in the supply chain is responsible for correct chemical labelling and packaging before market placement. A safety data sheet is required when a chemical is hazardous and supplied for workplace use. Obtain a competent review of the actual formulation before supply.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative shipment of 20 tonnes of resin-coated foundry sand under 3824 99 65 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,900. Duty at 6% is £294. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,194, so it is £1,038.80. Import taxes total £1,332.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £294 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Grading: compare sieve results, fines and grain appearance with the approved sample; sample across the shipment rather than from an accessible bag alone.
Coating: check coating consistency, moisture and loss on ignition against the agreed methods, and investigate lumps or loose resin dust.
Performance: make trial shells or cores using the agreed cycle; compare strength, gas evolution and breakdown with the approved batch.
Packing and records: inspect liners, seams and pallet protection; match bag markings, batch reports and safety information to the delivered grade. Use a documented inspection plan.
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What goes wrong
A grading change can alter filling and surface finish. Uneven coating or a different curing package can produce weak shells or inconsistent cure. Excess gas can cause casting defects, while poor breakdown makes core removal difficult. Damp or overheated storage can leave the sand lumpy and difficult to feed.
A sample approved under different tooling conditions may conceal a production mismatch. Record the trial conditions, keep batch samples and agree how disputed results will be checked. Hold a suspect batch apart while comparing its grading, coating and performance with the approved material.
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 resin-coated foundry sand from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 6% for foundry auxiliaries under 3824 99 65 00, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. Confirm that the actual coated sand belongs in this line.
Is resin-coated sand the same as foundry binder?
Specify whether you are buying coated grains or a binder supplied separately. Give the broker the formulation and manufacturing process before choosing the commodity code.
What should I test before ordering coated sand?
Check grain distribution, fines, moisture, coating content, shell strength, gas evolution and breakdown. Trial the sand in your own tooling using the intended curing cycle.
Does resin-coated sand need a safety data sheet?
A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for workplace use. Have the actual formulation reviewed; a technical performance sheet serves a different purpose.