Sourcing textile scouring detergents from China
Textile scouring detergents from China normally carry 4% UK duty. Conditional suspensions can reduce certain surface-active preparations to 0%, giving a possible 0% to 4% range. Detergent information duties apply alongside chemical hazard rules. Cambridge China Bridge sources textile scouring detergents.
Normally 4% duty on finished scouring detergents
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3402 covers organic surface-active agents other than soap, surface-active preparations, washing preparations and cleaning preparations. Textile scouring blends used to remove oils, waxes and processing residues are the focus here. The table distinguishes washing preparations from surface-active preparations and retail from non-retail presentation.
The selected lines carry 4% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. A conditional 0% suspension is recorded for 3402 90 10 90; its supplied footnotes are abbreviated, so ask your broker to confirm the complete conditions before claiming it. No suspension is recorded for the other selected lines. The facts attach waste import controls to surfactant input lines. For notified waste imported from China into England, consent from destination, dispatch and transit authorities is needed before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code from the composition, cleaning function and packaging. Ask your customs broker whether any waste control applies to the actual material and destination. Do not transfer an ingredient's suspension to a finished blend. See the wider heading guide for related industrial detergents.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-retail washing and cleaning preparations | 3402 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Other non-retail surface-active preparations | 3402 90 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Retail-packed washing and cleaning preparations | 3402 50 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Retail-packed surface-active preparations | 3402 50 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the fibre and scouring process
Specify whether the detergent is for cotton, wool, synthetic fibres or blends, and identify the oils, waxes or spinning lubricants to remove. Agree active matter, ionic character, working dilution, bath temperature, alkalinity, foam behaviour and rinsing performance. State whether it must tolerate hard water, alkali or peroxide in your process. A cotton preparation should not be accepted for wool without a separate fabric trial.
Trial the sample on your own greige fabric using your production water and bath conditions. Compare wetting, residual oil, absorbency, whiteness, handle and subsequent dye uptake with your current process. Record the test method and acceptance criteria, and retain the approved sample. Ask for surfactant biodegradability reports and a batch certificate of analysis.
The Detergents Regulation covers placing detergents on the Great Britain market and their use, with obligations to provide detergent information on labels and data sheets. Confirm with HSE the hazard labelling, packaging and safety data sheet requirements for hazardous mixtures supplied for use at work. Obtain the full formulation and confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE based on the substance tonnage.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of 20 drums of textile scouring detergent under 3402 90 90 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,700. Duty at 4% is £188. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,888, so it is £977.60. Import taxes total £1,165.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £188 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Formulation: compare active matter, alkalinity, density and appearance with the agreed specification and approved sample; check for separation, sediment or powder caking.
Fabric trial: check wetting and oil removal on the intended fibre, then rinse and assess absorbency, handle and dye uptake under the agreed process conditions.
Foam and compatibility: test at the working dilution with your water, agitation and process chemicals; look for persistent foam, precipitation or redeposited oil.
Documents and drums: match the batch certificate, safety data sheet and hazard label to the shipped formulation; check net fill, closures, leaks and batch identification on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A sample can scour well while the production batch contains less active material or a different surfactant blend. Poor wetting leaves uneven absorbency and patchy dyeing; excessive foam disrupts circulation; inadequate rinsing leaves residues. Strong alkalinity can damage a sensitive fibre. Compare batches using fabric trials rather than appearance alone.
Generic chemical documents can describe a different formulation, while a supplier may claim a suspension that only covers a specified material. Resolve document and classification differences before shipment. Use an agreed inspection plan that includes the actual fabric and process conditions.
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 textile scouring detergents from China?
The selected preparation lines carry 4%. A conditional 0% suspension is recorded for 3402 90 10 90; confirm its complete conditions. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Can I use the same scouring detergent for cotton and wool?
Specify each fibre separately. Trial the detergent at the intended dilution, temperature and alkalinity, then check oil removal, absorbency and fibre handle before approving it.
Do imported scouring detergents need a safety data sheet?
Confirm with HSE whether hazardous chemicals supplied for use at work need a safety data sheet. Check that it describes the shipped formulation and matches the hazard label.
How do I check a scouring detergent before ordering?
Trial it on your greige fabric using your production water and bath conditions. Compare wetting, oil removal, foam, rinsing and subsequent dye uptake with the approved process.