Sourcing anisole from China
Anisole from China falls for checking under other aromatic ethers, with 4% duty rather than a duty range. The listed suspension covers other named chemicals. Before GB supply, check classification, labels, packaging and your UK REACH position. Cambridge China Bridge sources anisole.
Anisole duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 2909 covers ethers and related compounds. For anisole, check the other aromatic ethers line, 2909 30 90 90, carrying 4% duty on goods from China. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The suspension on this line names other chemicals, not anisole.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches export controls for dangerous chemicals and waste to this line. These are labelled export controls in the supplied facts. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to the transaction, particularly if the material is waste or will subsequently be exported.
Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition and intended presentation. A formulated mixture needs separate classification checking. See the wider ethers guide for neighbouring products.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anisole, subject to confirmation under other aromatic ethers | 2909 30 90 90 | 4% | None |
Specify anisole identity and impurities
State anisole, also called methoxybenzene or methyl phenyl ether, explicitly in the purchase specification. Agree assay and its test method, water, colour, acidity and residual phenol. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis with measured results, rather than a generic specification sheet. State whether recovered material is acceptable.
For Great Britain, confirm your UK REACH position with HSE before ordering, taking account of your annual imports. Importers must ensure correct labels and packaging before placing chemicals on the GB market. Safety data sheets are required under UK REACH. Match the safety data sheet to the actual product and composition.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pilot order of anisole in sealed drums under 2909 30 90 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,320 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,320. Duty at 4% is £172.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,492.80, so it is £898.56. Import taxes total £1,071.36; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £172.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity and assay: compare the batch chromatogram and certificate with the agreed anisole specification; arrange independent testing of the shipment sample.
Impurities: check water, residual phenol, acidity and colour against the agreed acceptance criteria.
Containers: inspect seals, closures, leaks and damage, and reconcile drum identification with the batch certificate and delivery documents.
Documents: compare chemical identity, composition and hazard information across labels, the safety data sheet and shipping documents. Plan checks using the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
An assay result alone can conceal an unsuitable impurity profile. Residual phenol, water or contamination from reused containers may matter to your process even when the supplier calls the material pure. Agree impurity tests and acceptance criteria before approving the sample.
A generic certificate may describe a different batch, while recovered material may be supplied against an expectation of virgin material. Keep the arrival sample linked to the delivered batch and hold disputed stock pending investigation.
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 anisole from China?
The supplied facts show 4% on 2909 30 90 90, subject to confirming anisole's classification. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed; the suspension names other substances.
Does importing anisole need UK REACH checks?
Confirm your registration position with HSE before ordering, taking account of your annual imports. A factory's certificate of analysis does not establish your registration position.
What should an anisole specification include?
Chemical identity, assay and test method, water, residual phenol, acidity, colour, container condition and whether recovered material is acceptable.
Is the supplier's certificate enough to accept anisole?
Match it to the delivered batch and verify the agreed properties on a shipment sample. Check seals and documents as well as assay.