Sourcing arsenic resins from China
Arsenic-selective polymer ion exchange resins from China carry 0% UK duty under the other-resins line, with no listed trade remedies. For public water supply in England and Wales, confirm the approval route with the water company before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources arsenic-selective ion exchange resins.
UK duty on arsenic-selective resins
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 3914 covers ion exchangers based on polymers of headings 3901 to 3913, in primary forms. Arsenic-selective polymer resins normally fall under 3914 00 00 90, subject to confirming their composition and form. The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension.
The tariff attaches waste import and export controls. These concern waste resin rather than new resin supplied as a product. For a shipment from China to England subject to waste notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in China for consent. If buying spent or recovered resin, have your customs broker confirm its waste status, whether the shipment is permitted and the complete control requirements before shipping.
Confirm the commodity code using the composition, polymer matrix and supplied form. Filled cartridges and treatment vessels need separate classification. Only the other-resins line in the supplied tariff record is relevant to this guide. For wider heading context, see our nitrate-selective resin guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic-selective polymer ion exchange resins, in primary forms | 3914 00 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify arsenic removal against your feed water
Specify the polymer matrix, functional chemistry, any iron loading, shipped ionic form, bead size, moisture and packing. Ask whether the proposed grade targets arsenite, arsenate or both, and whether pretreatment is needed. Give the supplier your feed-water analysis, including acidity, sulphate, phosphate, silica and competing contaminants.
Agree a column trial using representative feed water and the intended flow conditions. Define the treated-water acceptance criterion, breakthrough endpoint, rinsing procedure and regeneration or replacement plan. Ask for arsenic-specific performance data; total exchange capacity alone does not establish suitability for your water.
For a water company's public supply in England or Wales, confirm the applicable approval requirements for the resin with the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the water company. Check the exact proposed grade before ordering. Ask for its composition, instructions for use and leachables evidence alongside the performance trial.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 bags of arsenic-selective resin, each containing 25 litres under 3914 00 00 90, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,500, so it is £700. 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 grade, polymer chemistry, ionic form and any iron loading to the approved sample, purchase specification and batch certificate.
Performance: test retained batch samples against the agreed arsenic-removal protocol using representative feed water, and compare results with the supplier's trial.
Beads: check wet particle-size distribution, fines, cracked beads and moisture against the specification; retain samples from separate packs.
Packing: check seals, leakage, drying and contamination, and match pack labels to the batch records. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may offer a general anion resin as an arsenic-selective grade, or provide results obtained with water unlike yours. Unclear arsenic species, competing ions or a different trial endpoint can make apparently comparable datasheets misleading. Resolve these differences through the agreed feed-water trial before accepting the batch.
Cracked beads, fines or dried resin can cause handling and operating problems. Colour, odour or leachables may appear during rinsing. Agree the conditioning procedure and rejection criteria before shipment, and check the manufacturer's laboratory and batch traceability through factory verification.
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 arsenic-selective resin from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty under 3914 00 00 90 for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does arsenic-removal resin need drinking-water approval?
For a water company's public supply in England or Wales, confirm the approval route it specifies for the exact resin grade before ordering.
How do I check whether the resin works with my water?
Commission a column trial with representative feed water. Agree arsenic species, competing ions, flow conditions and the breakthrough endpoint before comparing suppliers.
Can I import spent arsenic-removal resin from China?
Confirm waste status and shipment permission with your broker first. For notification-controlled imports into England, the exporter must apply to China's competent authority for consent.