Sourcing amoxicillin active ingredient from China
Amoxicillin active ingredient from China carries 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Importers supplying human medicine manufacture must register with the MHRA and should confirm the applicable good manufacturing practice requirements with the MHRA before sourcing material. Cambridge China Bridge sources amoxicillin active ingredient.
Amoxicillin duty and tariff scope
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 2941 covers antibiotics as chemical active substances. Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin line 2941 10 00 00, covering penicillins, qualifying derivatives and their salts. The table descriptions share this tariff line; they are not separate commodity codes. Finished medicines in doses or retail packs have a different classification.
The recorded duty for goods from China is 0%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. The tariff attaches an export control labelled “Export control - Waste”. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. If the shipment involves discarded or rejected material, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker.
Confirm the chemical form, composition and presentation through finding your commodity code. For related antibiotics within the wider heading, see the doxycycline active ingredient guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin active ingredient in bulk | 2941 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the amoxicillin form and batch standard
Specify the exact chemical form, including whether the order is amoxicillin trihydrate or a salt, and its intended use. Agree the applicable pharmacopoeia monograph, assay reporting basis, water content, related substances, residual solvents and any particle-size needs with the receiving manufacturer. Set acceptance criteria before approving the supplier's sample.
For human medicine manufacture, the UK active-substance importer must register with the MHRA; confirm the applicable good manufacturing practice requirements with the MHRA. Check the actual manufacturing site and substance covered by the supplier's documents. Where written confirmation is required, obtain it from the issuing authority in the exporting country. Agree moisture protection and transport conditions with the manufacturer.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of amoxicillin trihydrate active ingredient under 2941 10 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,500, so it is £5,300. 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 the drum labels, chemical form, batch number and manufacturing site to the purchase order and certificate of analysis.
Testing: arrange receipt testing against the agreed monograph and specification, including identity, assay, water content, related substances and residual solvents.
Packaging: check seals, inner liners, drum damage, dampness and signs of powder leakage; review any transport temperature records.
Handling: check the supplier's dedicated penicillin handling arrangements and the receiving site's storage instructions to manage cross-contamination risks.
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What goes wrong
A certificate may describe a different chemical form or manufacturing site from the material delivered. An assay result may use a reporting basis that differs from the buyer's specification. Resolve these mismatches before accepting the batch; a supplier's certificate alone does not establish that the delivered material meets your agreed specification.
Heat, moisture and damaged liners can undermine batch quality. Related substances or residual solvents can also fail the agreed monograph. Keep suspect drums separate while the receiving manufacturer investigates and decides their disposition.
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 amoxicillin active ingredient from China?
The recorded duty is 0% under 2941 10 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Do I need MHRA registration to import amoxicillin active ingredient?
Yes, if your UK business imports active substances for human medicines. Check that your registration covers the intended activities before ordering.
Does amoxicillin trihydrate use a different commodity code?
The supplied reference places amoxicillin active substance in the penicillin line 2941 10 00 00. Confirm the exact composition and presentation; finished medicines have a different classification.
What written confirmation should I obtain from China?
Where required for the active-substance import, obtain written confirmation from the issuing authority in China. Check its applicability with the receiving manufacturer before shipment.