Sourcing 2-ethylhexyl acrylate from China

Duty depends on purity and suspension eligibility

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate falls within the other acrylic acid esters line, 2916 12 00 90, under heading 2916. Its chemical identity is CAS 103-11-7. The supplied data contains only this relevant commodity line. For the wider family, see acrylic and benzoic acids.

The base duty for goods from China is 6%, with a 0% suspension for qualifying 2-ethylhexyl acrylate of at least 99.5% purity by weight. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for this line. The UK Trade Tariff also attaches an export waste control; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance and any requirement for your shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition and batch analysis. Ask the broker to confirm suspension eligibility before relying on the reduced rate. A supplier's product name alone does not establish the purity of the delivered batch.

Specify purity, inhibitor and transport conditions

Specify 2-ethylhexyl acrylate by chemical identity, intended process and agreed purity. Set acceptance criteria for water, acidity, colour and inhibitor content, with the analytical method recorded. Request a certificate of analysis for each batch and agree how arrival samples will be taken.

Agree inhibitor type, storage conditions and transport temperature limits with the supplier. Acrylates can polymerise if inhibitor content falls or the shipment overheats. Keep the supplier's handling instructions with the batch records.

For a new GB registration, UK REACH requires registration before imports reach 1 tonne per year where downstream user import notification provisions do not apply. Confirm your applicable registration arrangements before ordering. Classification and labelling must be handled by someone with scientific competence; GB importers must ensure correct classification, labels and packaging before placing chemicals on the market. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require safety data sheets.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 15 tonnes of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate without a suspension claim under 2916 12 00 90, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,500. Duty at 6% is £1,410. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,910, so it is £4,982. Import taxes total £6,392; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,410 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase order, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and container labels to 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and the delivered batch.

Analysis: compare purity, inhibitor, water, acidity and colour results with the agreed specification; arrange independent checks where the batch evidence is incomplete.

Condition: check for leakage, damaged closures, contamination and unexpected thickening before releasing material into production.

Handling records: review available temperature records and storage instructions; check that the receiving warehouse can follow the agreed conditions.

What goes wrong

An order described only as acrylate can leave chemical identity and inhibitor content unclear. A generic analysis sheet may hide batch variation, while a purity result below the suspension threshold changes the duty assumption. Match the actual batch evidence to both the purchase specification and customs claim.

Heat exposure or inadequate inhibitor can cause polymerisation in the container. Hold leaking, thickened or otherwise suspect material for assessment rather than trialling it immediately. Agree sampling, acceptance and rejection procedures before dispatch.

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.