How to export catalysts from the UK to China
To export catalysts to China, settle the classification, check chemical export controls and agree the import requirements with your buyer. Chinese duty and import VAT shape the landed price, and these goods are absent from the cross-border retail import list. Cambridge China Bridge's own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands.
Settle the import route for catalysts and reaction initiators
Agree the Chinese import requirements with your buyer before accepting an order for catalysts and reaction initiators. These goods are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list, so do not plan around that route. GACC Decree 280 concerns overseas food manufacturers; its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to these catalysts. Have the importer confirm the requirements for your exact preparation with its customs broker.
HMRC recorded £43.5m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 381511, 381512, 381519, 381590 in 2025 (2024: £55.5m, -21.7%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £116k. January to July 2026: £29.2m against £28.5m in the same months of 2025 (+2.7%).
Price against the Chinese tariff line
The 2026 Customs Import and Export Tariff gives Chinese lines 38151100, 38151900 and 38159000 an MFN duty rate of 6.5%. Line 38151200 also has an MFN rate of 6.5%, with a provisional 2026 rate of 5%. Confirm the classification and applicable rate before agreeing your export price.
The VAT Law sets standard import VAT at 13%, subject to its reduced-rate and special rules. Import VAT uses the customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax as its base. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to your catalyst. Border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price the buyer can offer.
Check the preparation against chemical export rules
GOV.UK identifies chemicals as goods with special export rules and provides guidance for controlled chemicals, drug precursors and hazardous chemicals. Check whether your catalyst's composition brings it within those rules, and which licences or certificates are needed for that shipment. Resolve this alongside the Chinese buyer's product-specific import requirements before committing stock; the tariff heading alone is not a substitute for that check.
Classify the goods and prepare the UK declaration
Find the correct UK commodity code rather than copying the Chinese tariff line onto the export declaration. The HS6 headings are 381511 for nickel-based supported catalysts, 381512 for precious-metal supported catalysts, 381519 for other supported catalysts and 381590 for other reaction preparations. The largest listed UK export line under HS 381590 was 38159090, reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, at £23.7m in 2025.
Exports from England, Wales or Scotland need a GB EORI number and an online export declaration. For the catalysts, prepare the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details and invoice and packing list references. The carrier needs the invoice and any export licences or certificates. Agree who will make the declaration before arranging collection.
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Find and check a Chinese buyer before sending stock
Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your catalyst business, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to arrange that work.
Where registration or label work is required, we prepare it with licensed partners in China. Regulated roles stay with licensed partners, and the brand's own filings stay the brand's. We check with licensed partners and give no legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What Chinese duty applies to UK catalysts?
Chinese lines 38151100, 38151900 and 38159000 have 6.5% MFN duty. Line 38151200 has 6.5% MFN duty and a provisional 2026 rate of 5%. Confirm which line covers your preparation.
Can I sell catalysts through cross-border retail imports?
These catalysts are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list. Settle the shipment route and product-specific import requirements with your Chinese importer.
Do catalysts need GACC food-manufacturer registration?
No. GACC Decree 280 covers overseas food producers, processors and storage enterprises. Its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to catalysts.
Do I need a UK export licence for my catalyst?
Check the exact preparation against GOV.UK's rules for controlled chemicals, drug precursors and hazardous chemicals. The applicable licence requirements depend on that check.