Sourcing adipic acid from China
Adipic acid carries 6% UK duty from China in our published reference guide. Related esters range from 0% under a narrow suspension to 6%. For Great Britain, check UK REACH registration responsibilities and correct chemical labelling and packaging before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources adipic acid.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Adipic acid duty and related tariff lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied heading 2917 snapshot covers polycarboxylic acids and their derivatives. It lists adipic acid salts and esters at 6%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The separate adipic acid line is absent from this snapshot; our published reference guide records adipic acid under 2917 12 00 10 at 6%, without suspension. Confirm that line before declaring pure acid.
The ester line has a 0% suspension only for the named substance with CAS RN 3130-19-6 and purity by weight below 97%. It excludes mixtures, preparations and multicomponent products containing that substance. This is not a general exemption for adipic acid. The listed lines also carry an export waste control. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; confirm any requirement affecting your consignment with your customs broker.
Match the chemical identity and whether the goods are acid, salt or ester before confirming the commodity code. The table includes related acids for comparison because the snapshot contains only salts and esters within the adipic family. For the wider heading, see sebacic acid sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adipic acid salts | 2917 12 00 20 | 6% | None |
| Adipic acid esters | 2917 12 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Sebacic acid, for comparison | 2917 13 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other azelaic or sebacic acid products, for comparison | 2917 13 90 90 | 6% | None |
Specify adipic acid by identity and batch quality
Write the chemical identity and intended manufacturing use into the purchase specification. Distinguish adipic acid from adipate salts and esters. Agree assay, moisture, colour, ash and iron acceptance criteria, the analytical methods and the certificate of analysis format. Compare a representative sample in your own process before approving supply.
For Great Britain, confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE based on your annual imports of each substance. Chemicals must be correctly labelled and packaged before being placed on the market. Request an English safety data sheet for review alongside the specification, rather than treating a supplier's sales description as the technical file.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of adipic acid salts under 2917 12 00 20, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,800. Duty at 6% is £1,668. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,468, so it is £5,893.60. Import taxes total £7,561.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,668 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, bag markings, safety data sheet and batch certificate to the same chemical.
Analysis: compare batch assay, moisture, colour, ash and iron results with the agreed methods and acceptance criteria.
Packaging: check seals, liners, tears, moisture staining and caking before accepting the delivery.
Traceability: reconcile batch references and received quantities with the packing list, and retain an identified sample.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A quotation for an adipate ester is mistaken for adipic acid, or an ester suspension is assumed to cover the acid. Resolve identity and tariff treatment before comparing landed costs. A generic certificate without a matching batch reference gives little help when investigating a delivery.
Off-specification colour or assay can affect resin and polyester production. Damp, damaged packaging or caked material should trigger checks against the agreed moisture specification. Hold the affected batch apart while testing it and discussing the results with the supplier.
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 adipic acid products from China?
The supplied snapshot lists adipic acid salts and esters at 6%, with a narrow ester suspension to 0%. Our published guide records pure adipic acid at 6%; its separate line is missing from this snapshot.
Does the ester suspension cover ordinary adipic acid?
No. It applies only to the specified ester with CAS RN 3130-19-6 below 97% purity by weight, excluding mixtures and multicomponent preparations.
Do I need UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, confirm registration responsibilities with HSE based on your annual imports of the same substance. Resolve your position before ordering.
What should an adipic acid batch certificate show?
Ask for the chemical identity, matching batch reference, analytical methods and actual assay, moisture, colour, ash and iron results against your agreed specification.