Sourcing rubber crumb and rubber scrap from China
Waste, parings and scrap of rubber other than hard rubber, and powders and granules obtained from them, from China pay 0% UK duty under the single code 4004 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. The code carries the waste import control. Buyers of rubber crumb for sports surfaces, mats and moulded products check grading, steel and fibre contamination, dust and odour.
0% duty and the waste control
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 4004 covers waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
The tariff attaches the waste import control. Material that is still waste needs the information document for non-hazardous green-list waste, or prior written notification and consent for notifiable waste, arranged before it leaves China; material that is not waste clears on a declaration.
Reclaimed rubber for compounding is covered in our reclaimed rubber guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber waste, parings and scrap; powders and granules | 4004 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying rubber crumb
Specify the source (tyre or other), granule size range, steel and textile fibre content, dust, moisture, colour, and packing. For crumb used in consumer or play surfaces, ask what chemical testing the finished product will need and for the supplier's test data.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of 1 to 4 mm tyre rubber crumb under 4004 00 00 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,800, so it is £1,760. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Grading: sieve samples and check size range and dust.
Contamination: check residual steel wire and fibre.
Documents: check the waste declaration or documents before loading. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Rubber crumb orders fail on contamination and paperwork. Steel wire and fibre remain, dust is high, and shipments are held because the waste route was not settled.
Cambridge China Bridge sources recycled materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on rubber crumb from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, rubber waste and granules under 4004 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Does rubber crumb need waste documents?
If it is still waste, yes; settle the route before shipping.
What contamination matters in tyre crumb?
Residual steel wire, textile fibre and dust.
Is hard rubber scrap in heading 4004?
No. Hard rubber waste is excluded from heading 4004.