Sourcing shower gel from China
Shower gel from China under 3401 30 00 00 has a 4% standard duty, with a conditional 0% suspension for qualifying retail skin washes. Before supply in Great Britain, confirm the applicable Responsible Person, safety assessment and notification requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources shower gel.
UK import duty on shower gel
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 3401 includes liquid or cream skin-washing preparations put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap. Retail shower gel falls within 3401 30 00 00. The table shows packaging variants within the same commodity line.
The standard China duty is 4%. An autonomous suspension gives 0.00 % for qualifying retail liquid or cream hand or skin washes, excluding mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. The supplied record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. It attaches waste import and export controls. England's waste guidance says these apply only to waste; confirm the declaration requirement for your China shipment with your customs broker.
Give your broker the formula, intended use and retail packaging before claiming the suspension. Confirm the commodity code, and see the liquid hand soap guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail shower gel in bottles | 3401 30 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the shower gel formula and pack
Agree the formula, fragrance, colour, viscosity, lather and rinsing feel against an approved sample. Specify fill volume, bottle material, closure, pump output where relevant, seal and carton packing. Ask for stability, microbiological and packaging-compatibility test results for the formula and pack you will buy.
For supply in Great Britain, confirm the applicable Responsible Person arrangements, address requirements, safety assessment and notification process with the relevant authority before making the product available. Keep the approved formula and artwork together, and agree that substitutions need your approval.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of retail shower gel bottles in cartons; confirm suspension eligibility before calculating duty under 3401 30 00 00, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £1,168 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,368. Duty at 4% is £134.72. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,502.72, so it is £700.54. Import taxes total £835.26; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £134.72 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Formula: compare fragrance, colour, texture, lather and rinsing feel with the approved sample; investigate separation or unexpected odour.
Packaging: check fill quantities, closure fit, seals, pump operation and leakage after handling.
Documents: match the formula and packaging to the safety assessment and confirm any notification requirements and timing with the relevant authority before supply in Great Britain.
Traceability: check batch markings, artwork and carton contents against the purchase specification; retain samples from delivered batches.
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What goes wrong
A sample can feel right while the production batch is thinner, separates or smells different. Formula substitutions and incompatible bottles can also cause colour changes or leaks. Agree acceptance checks before production and investigate differences before releasing stock.
A factory's generic safety document may describe another formula or pack. Match the documents to the actual shower gel and keep suspension eligibility separate from cosmetic compliance: confirm the applicable safety assessment and notification requirements with the relevant authority regardless of any reduced duty rate.
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 shower gel from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 3401 30 00 00 a standard 4% duty and a conditional 0.00 % suspension for qualifying retail hand or skin washes. Confirm eligibility with your broker.
Can I sell Chinese shower gel under my own brand?
Confirm the applicable Responsible Person arrangements, address requirements, safety assessment and notification timing with the relevant authority before making it available in Great Britain. Approve the formula and branded packaging together.
What should I test before ordering shower gel?
Ask for stability, microbiological and packaging-compatibility results for the proposed formula and pack. Compare fragrance, viscosity, lather, rinsing feel and leakage with your approved sample.
Does the waste control mean shower gel is banned?
The tariff attaches a waste control. England's guidance says waste shipment controls only apply to waste. Ask your broker to confirm the requirement for your shipment.