Sourcing Aluminium Sulphate from China

Aluminium sulphate: 4% duty from China

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, aluminium sulphate under 2833 22 00 00 carries 4% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. Heading 2833 covers sulphates, alums and peroxosulphates. The table shows product forms sharing the aluminium sulphate line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For shipments into England, waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For aluminium sulphate from China that is waste, confirm the applicable notification, consent and documentation requirements with your customs broker before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, hydrate, composition and analysis certificate. Do not assume an alum suspension covers aluminium sulphate. See the wider sulphates and alums guide for related salts.

Specify assay, iron and dosing form

Specify powder, granules or flakes, the hydrate and the assay basis. State whether the reported content is expressed as aluminium sulphate or aluminium oxide. Agree iron and insoluble-matter limits, particle size, test methods and moisture-resistant packing. For a non-ferric grade, put the agreed iron limit in the purchase specification.

For each substance imported into Great Britain, confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE before ordering. Everyone in the supply chain must ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging before sale. Obtain the safety data sheet and batch analysis before approving the shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 24 tonnes of aluminium sulphate in 25 kg bags under 2833 22 00 00, invoiced at £4,800 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,300. Duty at 4% is £252. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,552, so it is £1,310.40. Import taxes total £1,562.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £252 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the product name, hydrate and batch number on bags, samples and analysis certificates.

Composition: independently check assay, iron and insoluble matter against the agreed limits and reporting basis.

Dosing form: check particle size, caking and dissolution behaviour using the agreed sample procedure.

Packing: check bag weights, liners, seams and pallet wrapping; record wet bags, leakage and handling damage.

What goes wrong

A certificate can report assay on a different basis from the quotation, making grades difficult to compare. Excess iron can breach a non-ferric specification, while insoluble matter can block dosing equipment. Moisture and damaged liners can leave bags caked or leaking.

Compare retained samples and arrival samples using the same test method. Hold affected batches apart while the supplier investigates, and agree acceptance or replacement against the written specification. Use quality inspection to document sampling, packing and batch traceability.

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.