Sourcing self-adhesive anti-slip tape from China
Self-adhesive plastic anti-slip tape from China carries 6% UK duty on the relevant ordinary lines, with no listed anti-dumping duty. Specific suspensions need checking. Tape supplied for consumer use in Great Britain must be safe in normal or foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources self-adhesive anti-slip tape.
6% duty on ordinary plastic anti-slip tape
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3919 covers self-adhesive plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes. The table shows candidate lines for plastic anti-slip tape, rather than a classification based solely on its trade name. Ask your broker to assess mineral-grit, metal-backed and textile-backed versions separately.
The selected lines carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Some have 0% suspensions for specifically described films or tape; others have relief tied to authorised use for offshore wind-turbine rotor blades. These are not general anti-slip tape concessions. The UK Trade Tariff also attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls to some selected lines. Confirm the applicable requirement and declaration with your customs broker.
Send the broker the backing material, adhesive composition, surface coating, roll width and whether the goods arrive as rolls or cut pieces. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. For the wider heading, see self-adhesive floor-marking tape.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC or polyethylene strips with rubber adhesive, rolls up to 20 cm wide | 3919 10 12 00 | 6% | None |
| Other plastic strips with rubber adhesive, rolls up to 20 cm wide | 3919 10 19 90 | 6% | None |
| Other self-adhesive plastic tape, rolls up to 20 cm wide | 3919 10 80 90 | 6% | None |
| Other self-adhesive plastic flat shapes, including wider rolls | 3919 90 80 99 | 6% | None |
Specify grip, backing and installation surface
Specify a gritty surface for shod traffic or a textured surface intended for barefoot contact. Name the backing polymer, adhesive type, colour, width, roll length, total thickness and cut shape. Describe the actual installation surface, such as painted stairs, sealed concrete or tiles, and whether use involves rain, cleaning chemicals or oily footwear.
Ask for grip test reports that identify the supplied construction and the tested wet or dry conditions. Approve samples on your actual surface, using the proposed cleaning, drying and application method. Agree checks for edge lifting, grit shedding, cleaning resistance and adhesive residue after removal.
For consumer use in Great Britain, the general product safety rules require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. UK REACH restrictions can limit or prohibit substances in articles, so request composition information for checking the backing and adhesive against applicable restrictions. If the product contains regulated fluorinated gas, official guidance requires labelling.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 cartons of self-adhesive plastic anti-slip tape, illustrative order under 3919 10 80 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,500. Duty at 6% is £270. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,770, so it is £954. Import taxes total £1,224; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £270 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: unwind sampled rolls and check length, width and thickness against the order; check cut pieces against the approved shape.
Grip surface: compare texture and coating coverage with the approved sample; check loose grit, bald patches and uncomfortable sharpness on barefoot products.
Adhesion: apply samples to the intended surface and check lifting, movement and removal after the agreed moisture and cleaning trials.
Packing: check crushed cores, distorted winding, damaged release liners and batch identification; keep arrival samples for comparison. See quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A rough-looking surface can lose grip when contaminated, while a gritty finish can be unsuitable for bare feet. Thin backing tears during fitting, loose grit sheds into the surrounding area, and stiff tape bridges curved stair edges. Short rolls and uneven coating make repeat installation inconsistent.
Adhesive trials on clean laboratory panels can conceal poor bonding to dusty concrete, textured tiles or ageing paint. Moisture and repeated cleaning can expose weak edges. Agree surface preparation and application instructions with the supplier, and compare production samples with the approved installation trial.
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 anti-slip tape from China?
The relevant ordinary plastic-tape lines carry 6% duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Specific suspensions require a match to the tariff description and any use conditions.
Can anti-slip tape be used outdoors?
Specify rain exposure, the installation surface and cleaning conditions. Trial adhesion and grip after wetting and drying; a dry grip report alone does not establish suitability for your outdoor use.
Which anti-slip tape should I buy for barefoot areas?
Ask for a textured surface intended for barefoot contact. Check comfort, wet grip, cleaning resistance and edge lifting on samples installed on the actual floor.
How do I check a supplier's slip-resistance claim?
Request a report identifying the tested tape construction, test method and wet or dry conditions. Compare that construction with production samples and trial it under your intended conditions.