Sourcing acetals from China
Acetals and hemiacetals from China, such as dimethoxymethane (methylal), diethoxymethane, acetaldehyde diethyl acetal and aroma acetals used in fragrances, pay 0% UK duty under the single code 2911 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. Many are flammable liquids, so GB CLP labels, a safety data sheet and dangerous goods packing matter, as does UK REACH for larger volumes.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2911 covers acetals and hemiacetals, whether or not with other oxygen function, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Acetal resin (polyoxymethylene) is a plastic of chapter 39, not an acetal chemical; confirm the commodity code from the CAS number.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetals and hemiacetals and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives | 2911 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
UK REACH and labelling
Under UK REACH, a GB importer of a substance at one tonne or more a year generally needs a registration or must rely on one held further up the chain. Many acetals are flammable liquids and some are irritants, so the retained CLP Regulation requires GB classification, labels and packaging, and they ship as dangerous goods.
For fragrance use, ask for the purity by gas chromatography and the allergen information your formulators need.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5 tonnes of dimethoxymethane (methylal) in drums under 2911 00 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,700. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,700, so it is £1,740. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: check the certificate of analysis for purity, water and acidity.
Packing: check UN-approved drums, closures, hazard labels and batch marks.
Documents: check the GB safety data sheet and the REACH position. See our quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
Acetal orders fail on purity, packing and compliance. Water or acid content is too high, drums are not approved for flammable liquids, and REACH or labelling is not settled before arrival.
Cambridge China Bridge sources speciality chemicals for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See testing and certification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on methylal from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, acetals under 2911 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is acetal plastic in heading 2911?
No. Acetal resin (polyoxymethylene) is a plastic of chapter 39.
Are acetals dangerous goods?
Many are flammable liquids and ship as dangerous goods with GB CLP labels.
Do I need UK REACH registration?
A GB importer of one tonne or more a year generally needs a registration or must rely on one further up the chain.