Sourcing 2-bromophenol from China
2-Bromophenol from China normally pays 4% UK duty. Heading 2908 has rates from 0% to 4% where relief applies, but its named suspension does not include this substance. GB buyers should confirm applicable UK REACH obligations with HSE and ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging. Cambridge China Bridge sources 2-bromophenol.
2-Bromophenol duty and chemical controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 2908 covers halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols. Neat 2-bromophenol falls within the residual halogenated line, 2908 19 00 90, with an ordinary Chinese-origin duty of 4%. The supplied record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Its named-substance suspension does not include 2-bromophenol.
The supplied tariff record attaches controls labelled 'Export control on dangerous chemicals' and 'Export control - Waste'. HSE states that there are no PIC notification obligations for imports. Confirm any chemical-list requirements with your customs broker. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; for recovered or discarded material from China, ask your broker to confirm the applicable requirements before shipment.
Confirm the identity, composition and commodity code before ordering. Pharmaceutical relief requires evidence that the substance qualifies under the relevant list; an intended pharmaceutical use alone should not be your basis for claiming it. The purchasing descriptions in the table share a tariff line. For related goods within the wider heading, see the 4-bromophenol guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Bromophenol for chemical synthesis | 2908 19 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the isomer and impurity profile
Write 2-bromophenol and its agreed chemical identity into the purchase specification. Ask for an identity test capable of distinguishing the required isomer from other bromophenols. Agree assay, the assay method, water content, residual phenol, other bromophenol isomers, more heavily brominated impurities and colour. Specify whether assay is measured on the material as supplied or on a dry basis, and request a certificate of analysis for each batch.
Confirm with HSE whether your GB imports require UK REACH registration or only-representative coverage, taking annual volumes and any exemptions into account. Also confirm whether a safety data sheet is required and when it should be supplied or updated. Chemicals must be correctly labelled and packaged before being placed on the market. Agree the container material, closure, storage instructions and sampling arrangements before dispatch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 kg of laboratory reagent 2-bromophenol; quantity, FOB value and freight are 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 purchase specification, container labels and batch certificate; use an independent identity test to check the required bromophenol isomer.
Analysis: check assay, water and the agreed impurity profile using the specified methods; inspect the underlying analytical results rather than accepting a pass statement.
Packaging: inspect seals, closures, leakage and contamination; match batch numbers and check the chemical labels against the safety data sheet.
Records: connect each received container to its batch certificate, retained sample and acceptance decision. See quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A certificate headed only 'bromophenol' leaves the isomer uncertain. An assay result can also hide an unsuitable impurity profile if the method does not separate closely related compounds. Water content, residual phenol or colour may miss the agreed specification even when the headline assay passes. Hold the batch pending identity and impurity checks when the records do not match.
A supplier may point to a zero-duty suspension elsewhere in the same tariff line without showing that it names the purchased substance. Keep the tariff decision separate from laboratory acceptance, and confirm any relief before declaring it. Use factory verification to check the producer's batch testing and traceability.
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 2-bromophenol from China?
The ordinary rate is 4% under 2908 19 00 90 in the supplied tariff record. Its named suspension does not include 2-bromophenol. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Does 2-bromophenol need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether your GB imports require registration or only-representative coverage and whether an exemption applies. Assess your annual total, including repeat orders.
How do I check that the supplier sent the right bromophenol?
Specify the required isomer and agree an identity test that distinguishes it from other bromophenols. Match the independent result to the batch certificate and container labels.
What should a 2-bromophenol certificate of analysis show?
Ask for batch identity, assay and method, water, residual phenol, other bromophenol isomers, more heavily brominated impurities and colour, all compared with your agreed acceptance limits.