Sourcing 2,4,6-tribromophenol from China

Duty on 2,4,6-tribromophenol

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 2908 covers derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols. For separately supplied 2,4,6-tribromophenol, the relevant residual halogenated line is 2908 19 00 90, carrying 4% duty on goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Its named-substance suspension does not list tribromophenol. All table entries use this same commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches dangerous-chemical and waste export controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to your China import. HSE says imports have no prior informed consent notification obligation, but imports of listed chemicals require annual quantity reporting. If the consignment is waste, confirm the applicable waste shipment requirements before dispatch.

Confirm the identity, composition and commodity code before ordering, especially for blends or solutions. Do not assume that another brominated phenol's suspension applies. Our TBBPA and halogenated phenols guide covers the wider heading.

Specify identity, assay and brominated impurities

Specify the full chemical name and chemical identifier rather than ordering merely 'bromophenol'. Agree assay and its test method, moisture, colour, melting range, particle size and limits for lower-brominated phenols and residual phenol. Require a batch certificate of analysis and retain an approved sample. State whether the order is the substance itself or a formulation.

For Great Britain, confirm the UK REACH registration route, any exemptions and any only-representative coverage with HSE before ordering. Classification and labelling need scientific competence. Ask HSE to confirm whether a safety data sheet is required and the applicable supply and update arrangements.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 kg laboratory trial batch, illustrative under 2908 19 00 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,980. Duty at 4% is £159.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,139.20, so it is £827.84. Import taxes total £987.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £159.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the container labels, certificate of analysis and safety data sheet to the ordered substance and batch.

Laboratory: independently check assay, moisture, melting range and the agreed impurity profile using the specified methods.

Packing: check seals, liners, leakage, moisture damage and batch traceability; confirm that labels and packaging meet the applicable GB chemical requirements.

Arrival: compare colour, particle size and caking with the approved sample and specification. Use our quality inspection guide to plan sampling.

What goes wrong

An assay result alone can hide an unsuitable impurity profile. Lower-brominated material, excess moisture, discolouration or inconsistent particle size can cause a batch to fail the agreed specification. A generic certificate or a sample from a different batch leaves the delivered material unverified. Agree acceptance tests before paying for production.

Another error is claiming the suspension for a different named chemical on the same tariff line. Keep substance identity and tariff treatment together. If material from China is supplied as waste under notification controls for import into England, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent.

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.