Water-based paints and varnishes from China

A flat 6%

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 an aqueous medium, of heading 3209, carried 6% on goods from China on both lines, acrylic or vinyl-based and other, with no anti-dumping measure and no suspensions.

Both lines carry an ozone-depleting substances check at import, so the entry includes the declaration that the paint contains no controlled substances. Solvent-based paints are in our solvent-based paints guide, artists' colours in our paint sets guide; confirm the commodity code from the carrier medium.

VOC, preservatives and labels

Decorative wall and ceiling paints, trim paints, varnishes and primers placed on the market in Great Britain must stay within the VOC limits for their category, and show the VOC content on the label, under the [Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1715/contents).

Water-based paints need an in-can preservative, which is a biocidal product in its own right: the paint is a treated article under retained [Regulation (EU) No 528/2012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2012/528/contents), so the active substance must be approved for that use and named on the label, and isothiazolinone preservatives trigger GB CLP allergy statements above set levels. Ask for the safety data sheet and full label text, and check [UK REACH](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-comply-with-reach-chemical-regulations) for substances over one tonne a year.

Worked duty example

An invented example rather than a quote: 20 tonnes of acrylic emulsion wall paint in 10 litre pails, commodity code 3209 10 00 00, bought for £24,000 free on board, with £2,800 of freight and insurance, so £26,800 is the value customs works from. Duty at the 6% rate for water-based paints is £1,608. VAT at 20% applies to £28,408, so £5,681.60. A VAT-registered buyer usually recovers the VAT, so the border adds £1,608 to the landed cost. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.

What goes wrong

Water-based paints fail on coverage, stability and labelling. Solids and pigment are cut so two coats become three; contrast ratio and scrub resistance miss the claim on the tin; emulsions freeze in a winter container and turn to curds; preservative levels are too low so paint spoils and smells in store; and labels omit the VOC content, preservative or allergy statement.

Test solids, viscosity and density on each batch, check opacity by the contrast ratio method of ISO 6504-3 and wet scrub resistance by ISO 11998 against the claim, compare colour and gloss with the approved standard, run a freeze-thaw stability test on a sample, check preservative content and label text, and ship in winter with frost protection.

Cambridge China Bridge sources water-based wall paints, primers and varnishes for own-brand, trade and project buyers, starting with colour and performance samples and a trial pallet. See how we handle first and smaller orders.