Subheading · Chapter 38 · Heading 3809
3809.91: Of a kind used in the textile or like industries
Textile finishing agents
3809.91 is the HS subheading for textile finishing agents, under heading 3809 in chapter 38.
What you pay
Importing into UK
Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff
UK lines →- 3809 91 00 00 Of a kind used in the textile or like industries 6%
- 3809 91 00 30 Aqueous antimony pentoxide mixture containing by weight: -46% or more but not more than 55% of antimony pentoxide (cas rn 1314-60-9), and -1% or more but not more than 10% of triethanolamine (cas rn 102-71-6), or -1% or more but not more than 10% of triethanolamine phosphate (cas rn 10017-56-8) 6%
- 3809 91 00 90 Other 6%
Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 3
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- until 31 December 2028
- Legal act
- 2020 No. 1435
- Documents
- 9Y12
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- 2020 No. 1431
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAirworthiness tariff suspension Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- S.I. 2018/1249
- Documents
- C119 Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1 (Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012), or equivalent certificate
Import requirements 1
- Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
- Applies to goods from
- Ukraine
- Legal act
- S.I. 2022/395
- Documents
- 9009
- 9010
- 9017
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | 6% |
| DCTS Comprehensive | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| European Union (including code "EU") | Free | |
| DCTS Enhanced | Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 moreAlgeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu | Free |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 moreAnguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| CPTPP | Brunei, Malaysia | Free |
| UK–Andorra agreement | Andorra | Free |
| UK–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| UK–Australia agreement | Australia | Free |
| UK–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| UK–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| UK–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| UK–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| UK–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement | Ceuta & Melilla | Free |
| UK–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| UK–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| UK–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| UK–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| UK–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| UK–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| DCTS Standard | Indonesia | Free |
| UK–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| UK–India agreement | India | Free |
| UK–Iceland agreement | Iceland | Free |
| UK–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| UK–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| UK–Kenya agreement | Kenya | Free |
| UK–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| UK–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| UK–Liechtenstein agreement | Liechtenstein | Free |
| UK–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| UK–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| UK–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| UK–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| UK–Norway agreement | Norway | Free |
| UK–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| UK–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| UK–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| UK–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| UK–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| UK–Solomon Islands agreement | Solomon Islands | Free |
| UK–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| UK–San Marino agreement | San Marino | Free |
| UK–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| UK–Türkiye agreement | Türkiye | Free |
| UK–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| UK–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| UK–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| UK–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| UK–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
UK: imports by month
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 France | £120.3m | 82.3% | +4.9% |
 Germany | £4.1m | 2.8% | -0.4% |
 Italy | £4.1m | 2.8% | -65.7% |
 United States | £3.6m | 2.5% | -15.6% |
 Hungary | £3.1m | 2.1% | +20% |
 Belgium | £3m | 2.1% | -38.6% |
 Japan | £1.7m | 1.1% | -9% |
 China | £1.6m | 1.1% | +79.9% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
World trade in 2024
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$788.4kUS$788.4k+US$20m+US$97.4m+> US$263.9m
Exports: 124
- Germany: US$392.2m
- Czechia: US$310.7m
- France: US$297.3m
- Vietnam: US$263.9m
- United States: US$257.9m
- China: US$202.9m
- Mexico: US$150.9m
- Türkiye: US$125.9m
- South Korea: US$122.3m
- Japan: US$116.7m
- Belgium: US$104.5m
- Taiwan: US$97.4m
- Italy: US$95.4m
- Spain: US$94.3m
- Thailand: US$88.9m
- United Kingdom: US$83.3m
- Saudi Arabia: US$66.9m
- India: US$63m
- Netherlands: US$60.3m
- Austria: US$59.4m
- Hungary: US$39.7m
- Switzerland: US$39.7m
- Indonesia: US$39.3m
- Singapore: US$32.3m
- Brazil: US$29.2m
- Honduras: US$26.6m
- Poland: US$22.1m
- Israel: US$21.5m
- Malaysia: US$21.2m
- Colombia: US$20m
- Guatemala: US$18.9m
- Egypt: US$16.7m
- Croatia: US$15.4m
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: US$12m
- Canada: US$11.9m
- Sri Lanka: US$10.9m
- Romania: US$8.4m
- Denmark: US$6.2m
- Portugal: US$5.3m
- Greece: US$5.1m
- South Africa: US$4.6m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$4m
- Argentina: US$3.5m
- Sweden: US$3.4m
- Serbia: US$2.8m
- Slovakia: US$2.6m
- Australia: US$2.4m
- Lithuania: US$1.9m
- Jordan: US$1.7m
- Kuwait: US$1.6m
- El Salvador: US$1.5m
- Peru: US$1.4m
- Kazakhstan: US$1.3m
- Slovenia: US$1.2m
- Finland: US$1.2m
- Russia: US$1.2m
- United Arab Emirates: US$1.1m
- Ireland: US$1m
- Pakistan: US$947.7k
- Uruguay: US$788.4k
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$1.6mUS$1.6m+US$14.3m+US$42.8m+> US$126.6m
Imports: 213
- Germany: US$244.2m
- China: US$204.5m
- United Kingdom: US$190.2m
- Bangladesh: US$161m
- Thailand: US$137.3m
- France: US$127.4m
- Vietnam: US$126.6m
- South Korea: US$123.9m
- United States: US$120.6m
- Canada: US$116.3m
- Italy: US$81.5m
- Czechia: US$76.1m
- Poland: US$75.3m
- India: US$68.7m
- Netherlands: US$66.9m
- Belgium: US$60.4m
- Romania: US$57.7m
- Malaysia: US$56.2m
- Türkiye: US$50.9m
- Indonesia: US$49.9m
- Taiwan: US$48.9m
- Pakistan: US$42.8m
- Egypt: US$41.2m
- Guatemala: US$40.7m
- Japan: US$39m
- Switzerland: US$38.5m
- Hungary: US$38.1m
- Mexico: US$37.4m
- Greece: US$35m
- Spain: US$34.1m
- Peru: US$33.4m
- United Arab Emirates: US$32.9m
- Austria: US$31.9m
- Portugal: US$31.9m
- Singapore: US$31.7m
- Sri Lanka: US$30.6m
- Russia: US$30.4m
- Kuwait: US$28.3m
- Uzbekistan: US$25.1m
- Serbia: US$23.9m
- Croatia: US$22.5m
- Ireland: US$21.6m
- Cambodia: US$20.8m
- Australia: US$19.6m
- South Africa: US$19.4m
- Slovakia: US$18.4m
- Honduras: US$16.6m
- Philippines: US$16.3m
- Brazil: US$15.7m
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: US$15.6m
- El Salvador: US$15.6m
- Ukraine: US$15.6m
- Laos: US$14.3m
- Bulgaria: US$14.1m
- Colombia: US$13.6m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$13.5m
- Panama: US$13.3m
- Dominican Republic: US$13.1m
- Nicaragua: US$12.3m
- Morocco: US$12.2m
Top exporters
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | US$392.2m | 11.2% |
| 2 |  Czechia | US$310.7m | 8.9% |
| 3 | France | US$297.3m | 8.5% |
| 4 |  Vietnam | US$263.9m | 7.5% |
| 5 | United States | US$257.9m | 7.4% |
| 6 | China | US$202.9m | 5.8% |
| 7 |  Mexico | US$150.9m | 4.3% |
| 8 |  Türkiye | US$125.9m | 3.6% |
| 9 |  South Korea | US$122.3m | 3.5% |
| 10 | Japan | US$116.7m | 3.3% |
Top importers
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | US$244.2m | 7% |
| 2 | China | US$204.5m | 5.8% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | US$190.2m | 5.4% |
| 4 |  Bangladesh | US$161m | 4.6% |
| 5 |  Thailand | US$137.3m | 3.9% |
| 6 | France | US$127.4m | 3.6% |
| 7 | Vietnam | US$126.6m | 3.6% |
| 8 | South Korea | US$123.9m | 3.5% |
| 9 | United States | US$120.6m | 3.4% |
| 10 |  Canada | US$116.3m | 3.3% |
Binding rulings for similar goods 3
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
- N338503 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of MEIKANATE TP-11 from Japan
- N292333 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a flame retardant from China
- 600012478 HMRC
The product is a fabric conditioner used alongside laundry detergent when washing clothes which helps clothes feel soft. It contains the following ingredients: Cationic Surfactants, Non-ionic surfactants, Perfume, Amyl Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool,…
Recent rule changes mentioning this code
Acts whose text cites this code or its heading. Check the act itself: a code can be cited for reasons other than a change of its duty.
- Tariff change
İthalat Rejimi Kararında Değişiklik Yapılmasına İlişkin Karar (Karar Sayısı: 11506)
RG 11.07.2026 sayı 33307 · Karar 11506 · Source: resmigazete.gov.tr
- Tariff change
İthalat Rejimi Kararında Değişiklik Yapılmasına İlişkin Karar (Karar Sayısı: 11485)
RG 01.07.2026 sayı 33297 · Karar 11485 · Source: resmigazete.gov.tr
-
Suspension · Applies from: CELEX 32026R1463 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu
- Other
Update to Commodity Code structure to maintain dynamic alignment with the EU – 30 June 2026
Trade Tariff news 6995 · Source: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
- Other
Update to Commodity Code structure to maintain dynamic alignment with the EU – 24 June 2026
Trade Tariff news 6929 · Source: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
- Sanctions · Applies from:
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
S.I. 2026/543 · Source: legislation.gov.uk
- Anti-dumping · Applies from:
CELEX 32026R0734 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu
The UK Global Tariff divides subheading 3809.91 into 2 tariff lines; the duty is 6%.
Subheading 3809.91 is a single line in the EU Combined Nomenclature, where the duty is 6.3%.
174 countries pay no duty in the UK thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as DCTS Comprehensive and European Union, against a standard rate of 6%.
Imports of textile finishing agents into the UK came to £146.2m between September 2025 and August 2026 (down 4% on the year before); France supplied 82%, followed by Germany.
In 2024, countries exported textile finishing agents worth US$3.5bn (+7.5% year on year).
The largest exporter was Germany (US$392.2m), followed by the Czechia.
Questions and answers
What is the HS code for of a kind used in the textile or like industries?
Of a kind used in the textile or like industries fall under HS subheading 3809.91, part of heading 3809, in section VI of the Harmonized System.
What is the import duty on of a kind used in the textile or like industries in the UK?
Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 3809.91 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 6%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
What is the import duty on of a kind used in the textile or like industries in the EU?
Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 3809.91 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 6.3%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which country exports the most of a kind used in the textile or like industries?
Germany, with US$392.2m in 2024 (11.2% of world exports).
Which countries can export textile finishing agents to the UK duty-free?
174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of 6% applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.
Where does the UK import textile finishing agents from?
In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were France (82%), Germany (3%) and Italy (3%), out of total imports of £146.2m.