Sourcing aluminium carbide powder from China
UK duty is 4% for aluminium carbide powder from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Check UK REACH registration coverage before importing and keep the powder away from water. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium carbide powder.
Aluminium carbide powder: 4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2849 covers carbides, whether or not chemically defined. Aluminium carbide powder falls within the other aluminium, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and titanium carbides line, 2849 90 50 90. The recorded duty for goods from China is 4%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. If material from China is waste subject to notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in the dispatch country for consent and follow its procedures. Ask your customs broker to confirm the waste status, applicable import requirements and any export control affecting returns before shipment.
Confirm the composition and supplied form using our commodity code guide. Only the aluminium carbide line is shown here because the other lines cover different carbides. For comparison within the wider heading, see calcium carbide from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium carbide powder | 2849 90 50 90 | 4% | None |
Specify carbide identity, purity and dry packing
Specify aluminium carbide content, how purity is measured, free aluminium, free carbon, oxygen and other agreed impurities. Set the particle size distribution and test method, rather than accepting a description such as fine powder. Request a batch certificate of analysis and agree independent identity testing by X-ray diffraction. Agree a sampling method that keeps water away from the material.
Specify sealed, moisture-resistant packaging and handling instructions. Official incident guidance says water must not contact aluminium carbide. For Great Britain, check UK REACH registration coverage when annual imports of the substance reach one tonne or more. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require a safety data sheet. Request it in English and have the forwarder review the transport information before booking.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 25 kg of aluminium carbide powder, illustrative order under 2849 90 50 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,800. Duty at 4% is £152. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,952, so it is £790.40. Import taxes total £942.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £152 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the container labels, batch certificate and laboratory identity result to aluminium carbide powder.
Chemistry: compare carbide content, free aluminium, free carbon and oxygen results with the agreed specification; arrange independent testing where needed.
Particle size: check the distribution using the agreed method and sample preparation; record agglomerates rather than judging fineness by appearance.
Packing: inspect seals, closures, batch markings and signs of moisture or leakage before opening; compare hazard labels and handling instructions with the safety data sheet.
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What goes wrong
A purity figure can conceal different test methods or unwanted free aluminium and carbon. A nominal particle size can conceal coarse particles or agglomerates. Damaged seals undermine moisture protection, while a generic certificate may describe a different batch. Hold suspect containers for specialist assessment and agree acceptance tests before dispatch. Our inspection guide explains how to turn the specification into checks.
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 aluminium carbide powder from China?
The recorded duty is 4% under 2849 90 50 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension in the supplied tariff snapshot.
Can aluminium carbide powder come into contact with water?
Keep water away from the powder. Official incident guidance says water must not contact the substance. Agree dry sampling and handling with a competent laboratory.
Does aluminium carbide powder need UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether your annual imports of the substance require UK REACH registration and whether an only representative can cover your imports. Confirm coverage before ordering.
What should I test before accepting aluminium carbide powder?
Check substance identity, carbide content, free aluminium, free carbon, oxygen and particle size against the agreed specification. Match results to the delivered batch and inspect packaging seals.