Sourcing acetylacetone from China
Acetylacetone from China carries UK duty of 0% to 4%: the standard rate is 4%, with a suspension for material at least 99.8% pure by weight, excluding mixtures and preparations. Confirm the batch assay and your UK REACH responsibilities before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources acetylacetone.
Standard duty and the purity-based suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, acetylacetone falls within heading 2914 under commodity code 2914 19 90 90. The standard duty for goods from China is 4%. The supplied tariff record shows a 0.00 % autonomous suspension for the named substance, chemical identity 123-54-6, with purity by weight of 99.8% or more. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded for this line.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches controls labelled “Export control on dangerous chemicals” and “Export control - Waste”. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to the actual China-to-UK shipment. For chemicals on the GB prior informed consent list, HSE says importers must report annual imported quantities, but imports have no notification obligation under that scheme. For shipments into England, waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste; confirm the applicable procedure before shipping waste material.
The table contains the relevant acetylacetone line only. Confirm the identity, composition and commodity code, rather than relying on the supplier’s commercial grade name. See acetone and ketone solvents for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylacetone, including material eligible for the purity-based suspension | 2914 19 90 90 | 4% | None |
Specify acetylacetone assay and impurity limits
State acetylacetone and chemical identity 123-54-6 on the enquiry and purchase order. Agree assay by weight, the analytical method, water content, acidity, colour and residue limits. Specify whether virgin material is required, and ask for a batch-specific certificate of analysis. A commercial description such as technical or laboratory grade should accompany measurable acceptance criteria.
For imports into Great Britain, businesses importing 1 tonne or more of a substance each year have UK REACH registration responsibilities. Check whether the overseas manufacturer has appointed a Great Britain-based Only Representative to fulfil the importer obligations. Importing chemicals for the GB market also brings chemical classification, labelling and packaging duties; everyone in the supply chain is responsible for correct labels and packaging before placing them on the market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 tonne of acetylacetone not qualifying for the suspension under 2914 19 90 90, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £860 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,360. Duty at 4% is £174.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,534.40, so it is £906.88. Import taxes total £1,081.28; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £174.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase order, container labels, batch certificate and safety data sheet to acetylacetone and the supplied batch.
Assay: compare independent results with the agreed method and specification, including water and impurities. Keep evidence supporting any purity-based suspension claim.
Containers: check closures, seals, leaks, corrosion and contamination. Agree container and gasket compatibility with the supplier before dispatch.
Documents: match batch identifiers to delivered containers and retain representative samples. Safety data sheets are required for hazardous chemicals supplied for use at work.
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What goes wrong
A headline assay can conceal an unsuitable impurity profile or excessive water. A generic certificate may describe a different batch, while leaking closures or contaminated containers can undermine otherwise acceptable material. Agree the sampling method and acceptance criteria before ordering, then compare arrival samples with the batch certificate.
A suspension claim can fail when the actual purity falls below 99.8% by weight or the shipment is a mixture or preparation. Keep the assay evidence separate from the supplier’s grade name, and ask the broker to check eligibility before the customs declaration.
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 acetylacetone from China?
The standard rate is 4% under 2914 19 90 90. A 0.00 % suspension applies to the named substance at 99.8% purity by weight or more, excluding mixtures and preparations.
Does laboratory-grade acetylacetone automatically qualify for zero duty?
No. The suspension depends on the named substance and purity by weight, rather than the commercial grade name. Ask for batch assay evidence and broker confirmation.
Do I need UK REACH registration for acetylacetone?
Importing 1 tonne or more each year brings registration responsibilities. Check whether a Great Britain-based Only Representative appointed by the overseas manufacturer fulfils those obligations.
What should an acetylacetone certificate of analysis show?
Ask for the batch identity, assay and test method, water, acidity, colour and residue results against your agreed specification. Match the certificate to the delivered containers.