Sourcing activated bauxite media from China

Activated bauxite: duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 3802 covers activated carbon, activated natural mineral products and animal black. For activated bauxite filtration media, 3802 90 00 90 is the candidate line for other activated minerals. It carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension shown. The table describes purchasing variants under this same line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls to this line. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For spent or recovered media from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirements before shipment; also confirm export requirements before arranging a return of waste media.

Send your broker the mineral composition, activation process, additives and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see activated bleaching earth. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify activation and filtration performance

Specify activated bauxite rather than accepting a description such as aluminium-based adsorbent. Ask for the mineral composition, activation process, any chemical treatment or additives, and whether the material is fresh or previously used. Agree particle-size distribution, fines, moisture, bulk density and resistance to breakdown using named test methods and an approved sample.

Define the liquid, target contaminant, operating temperature and flow conditions. Compare adsorption performance and contaminant release in a trial using your actual process liquid. Agree sampling and acceptance criteria before ordering, including packaging that keeps the media dry.

UK REACH generally applies to individual chemical substances, including substances in mixtures. Check the exact grade's position under UK REACH. Chemical classification and labelling must be carried out by someone with scientific competence. Obtain composition and safety information for that assessment rather than relying on the product name.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of granular activated bauxite filtration media under 3802 90 00 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,000, so it is £1,000. 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

Identity: match bag labels, batch records and the certificate of analysis to the approved activated bauxite grade.

Granules: check particle-size distribution, fines and breakdown after handling against the agreed sample and test method.

Condition: inspect liners and seals, then check moisture, caking and evidence of contamination.

Performance: test a representative arrival sample in the intended liquid and compare adsorption and contaminant release with the agreed criteria.

What goes wrong

A matching colour and particle size can conceal a different mineral composition or activation process. The delivered grade may perform poorly in the buyer's liquid despite a supplier test using different conditions. Weak granules generate fines, while damp bags change the delivered dry weight and handling behaviour.

Fresh and previously used media can become confused when batch records are incomplete. Keep retained samples and trace each bag to its production lot. Where waste status is uncertain, confirm the Chinese shipment's requirements with your customs broker before booking freight.

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.