Solvent-based paints and varnishes from China

Rates by polymer and form

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, paints and varnishes based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium, of heading 3208, carried 6% on goods from China for paints based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, for alkyd, polyurethane, epoxy and other synthetic-polymer paints and for polyester solutions, but 0% for other polyester-based paints and for acrylic or vinyl solutions as defined in note 4 to chapter 32. There is no anti-dumping measure, and several listed specialty solutions are suspended to 0%.

Water-based paints are heading 3209, and artists' colours are covered in our paint sets guide. Several 3208 lines carry an ozone-depleting substances check at import, so the declaration that the paint contains no controlled substances goes on the entry. Confirm the commodity code from the binder polymer.

VOC, labels and transport

Decorative paints, varnishes and vehicle refinishing products placed on the market in Great Britain must stay within the VOC content limits for their category under the Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2012, with the VOC content shown on the label. Paints also need GB CLP hazard labels and an English safety data sheet, and UK REACH Annex XVII entries 16 and 17 restrict lead carbonates and sulphates in paints; importers of more than one tonne a year of a substance should check UK REACH.

Most solvent-based paints are flammable liquids, so they ship as dangerous goods in UN-approved packaging, and spray cans also fall under the Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 18 tonnes of alkyd gloss enamel in 5 litre tins under 3208 90 91 00. At £32,000 free on board and £3,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £35,500. Solvent-based paints at 6% pay £2,130 of duty; VAT is then worked out on value plus duty, £37,630, giving £7,526. Of the £9,656 paid at import, only the £2,130 of duty stays a cost for a VAT-registered business. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

That is about £118 of duty a tonne; the larger costs are often the dangerous goods freight for flammable tins and making the formula meet the VOC limits for its category.

What goes wrong

Paints fail on colour, performance and paperwork. Batches drift from the approved colour and gloss; solids content is cut so coverage falls; drying time, adhesion or hardness miss the specification; VOC content exceeds the category limit or is missing from the label; tins leak or dent; and dangerous goods documents or safety data sheets are incomplete, so the forwarder refuses the booking.

Check each batch against the approved colour and gloss standard, test viscosity, solids, drying time, adhesion by the cross-cut method of ISO 2409 and gloss by ISO 2813 on panels, confirm VOC content against the 2012 regulations for the category, check labels, UN packaging marks, lids and seals, and confirm the dangerous goods declaration and safety data sheet before booking.

Cambridge China Bridge sources solvent-based paints, varnishes and coatings for own-brand, trade and industrial buyers, starting with colour samples and a first lot sized for your market. See how we handle first and smaller orders. For sealants and fillers, see our sealants and caulks sourcing guide. For trade in the other direction, see exporting UK paints to China.

Related guides: Sourcing sealants and caulks from China and Thinners and paint strippers from China.