Sourcing shaving creams from China
Shaving creams from China carry 6% UK duty under 3307 10 00 00, with no duty variation within this family. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a Responsible Person with a UK-established address and confirm the cosmetic safety assessment, product information file and notification requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources shaving creams.
UK duty on shaving creams from China
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, shaving creams fall within heading 3307 under 3307 10 00 00, covering pre-shave, shaving and aftershave preparations. The applicable duty for goods from China is 6%. The table shows cream formats sharing this commodity line.
The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. It attaches an export control of mercury. Ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to the formulation and transaction. Import VAT is 20%.
Confirm the formulation, intended use and presentation through the commodity code guide. For the wider cosmetics category, see beauty and personal care sourcing. The product compliance discussion here concerns sales in Great Britain.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaving cream in tubes | 3307 10 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the cream and its pack together
Define whether the cream is brush-applied or brushless, its lather behaviour, razor glide, rinsing performance, fragrance, colour and viscosity. Agree a retained sample and a repeatable comparison method. Specify fill quantity, tube or tub material, seal, closure and dispensing opening.
Obtain the full quantitative formula for the safety assessor under confidentiality. Arrange the Responsible Person and confirm the safety report, product information file and cosmetic notification requirements with the relevant authority before sale. Check ingredient restrictions and support any claims. Test stability and compatibility using the actual cream in the proposed retail pack.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of shaving cream in retail tubes under 3307 10 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 6% is £396. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,996, so it is £1,399.20. Import taxes total £1,795.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £396 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Cream: compare colour, fragrance, texture, lather and rinsing against the approved sample; look for separation, lumps or drying.
Pack: check fill quantity, tube seals, cap fit and leakage; open and dispense samples from the delivered batch.
Label: check ingredients, function, warnings, durability marking and the Responsible Person's name and address against approved artwork.
Batch: match pack codes to production records and retained samples; review the agreed microbial and stability test results.
What goes wrong
A sample can perform well while the production batch differs in fragrance, viscosity or lather. A substituted tube or seal can leak or interact with the cream. Agree written approval for formula and packaging changes, and compare delivered stock with retained samples.
An ingredient list alone is insufficient for the formulation-based safety assessment. Missing formula disclosure can delay the safety report; printing artwork before the review can leave warnings or ingredients wrong. Settle the formula and compliance documents before approving printed packaging.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on shaving cream from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 6% under 3307 10 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Import VAT is 20%.
Can I sell Chinese shaving cream under my own brand?
Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a Responsible Person with a UK-established address and confirm the safety assessment and report, product information file and cosmetic notification requirements with the relevant authority. Review the formula and label for your product.
What formula information should I ask the factory for?
Ask for the full quantitative formula for your safety assessor, under confidentiality where needed. Agree that formula changes require your approval.
What should I check when shaving cream arrives?
Compare texture, fragrance, lather and rinsing with approved samples. Check fill quantity, seals, leakage, artwork and batch traceability, alongside the agreed test results.