Sourcing sodium lauryl ether sulphate from China
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate from China carries 4% UK duty on the raw surfactant line; the preparation lines shown also carry 4% before any applicable suspension. Check UK REACH registration and chemical labelling before supply in Great Britain, and specify active matter and impurities. Cambridge China Bridge sources sodium lauryl ether sulphate.
4% duty on the raw surfactant
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3402 covers organic surface-active agents and washing and cleaning preparations other than soap. For sodium lauryl ether sulphate supplied as an anionic surfactant, check 3402 39 90 90. The other table rows concern preparations containing it, rather than interchangeable codes for the raw ingredient. See the laundry detergents guide for the wider heading.
The raw surfactant line carries 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. The preparation lines shown also carry a standard 4% rate. The bulk surface-active preparation line has a conditional suspension entry listing particular preparations; this does not establish entitlement for your sodium lauryl ether sulphate formulation. Ask your broker to check the exact composition.
The raw surfactant line has import and export waste controls attached. If the shipment is waste subject to notification controls, it cannot move until the destination, dispatch and transit authorities have consented. For goods from China, confirm waste status and the applicable procedure with your customs broker before shipment. Confirm the commodity code using the composition, intended use and packaging.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium lauryl ether sulphate as an anionic surfactant | 3402 39 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Retail surface-active preparations containing sodium lauryl ether sulphate | 3402 50 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Other bulk surface-active preparations containing sodium lauryl ether sulphate | 3402 90 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Bulk washing and cleaning preparations containing sodium lauryl ether sulphate | 3402 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
Specify active matter and dilution behaviour
Specify sodium lauryl ether sulphate by chemical identity, active matter, ethoxylation profile, salt content, unsulphated matter, acidity or alkalinity, colour and odour. Agree impurity limits, test methods and acceptance tolerances with the factory. State whether you need a pumpable solution or paste, and test dilution and viscosity in your own formulation.
Check whether your import requires UK REACH registration. Hazardous chemical supplies need correct hazard labels and packaging, and a safety data sheet when supplied for use at work. Request the full composition, current safety data sheet and batch certificate of analysis before approving the order.
The Detergents Regulation covers surfactants supplied for detergents as well as finished detergents. For that use, request biodegradability test evidence matching the substance supplied. Agree drum compatibility, closures, net contents, storage instructions and batch identification. Use factory verification to check the manufacturer's laboratory and batch controls.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 18 tonnes of sodium lauryl ether sulphate in drums; illustrative order under 3402 39 90 90, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,200. Duty at 4% is £1,168. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,368, so it is £6,073.60. Import taxes total £7,241.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,168 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: check the chemical identity and formulation against the approved specification, safety data sheet and batch certificate.
Active matter: test a representative batch sample for active matter, salt and unsulphated matter using the agreed methods.
Formulation trial: compare colour, odour, dilution, viscosity and foam behaviour with the approved sample in your actual recipe.
Packaging: check drum seals, leakage, contamination, net contents and matching batch marks. Record arrival checks using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A lower active matter content changes the amount needed in the buyer's recipe. Salt variation changes thickening behaviour, and differences in unsulphated matter or ethoxylation can change dilution and foam. A sample that looks acceptable alone may behave differently after blending with the buyer's other ingredients.
Leaking closures, contaminated drums and batch certificates copied from earlier production undermine acceptance. Keep an approved sample and compare arrival samples before releasing stock. Do not use another surfactant's suspension entry to cost the order, or assume a finished cleaning preparation has the raw ingredient's commodity code.
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 sodium lauryl ether sulphate from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 4% for raw sodium lauryl ether sulphate under 3402 39 90 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded.
Does sodium lauryl ether sulphate need UK REACH registration?
Check whether the substance you import requires UK REACH registration before ordering. Give your adviser the chemical identity, composition, intended uses and annual import quantity.
What should I specify when buying sodium lauryl ether sulphate?
Specify active matter, ethoxylation profile, salt, unsulphated matter, colour, odour and impurity limits. Agree test methods and check dilution and viscosity in your own formulation.
Does the tariff waste control apply to new sodium lauryl ether sulphate?
The tariff attaches a waste-control entry to the raw surfactant line. Have your broker confirm waste status and applicability; waste under notification controls needs consent before shipment.