Artificial and expandable graphite from China

Zero duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, artificial graphite, colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite, carbonaceous electrode pastes and other preparations based on graphite or other carbon of heading 3801 carried 0% on goods from China on every line, with no anti-dumping measure.

Natural graphite, mined and purified, is heading 2504, finished graphite electrodes for furnaces are heading 8545, and non-electrical graphite articles are covered in our carbon fibre and graphite products guide. Confirm the commodity code from whether the graphite is synthetic or natural and in what form.

Specifying graphite

Graphite is bought on fixed carbon and ash, particle size distribution measured by laser diffraction (ISO 13320), moisture, sulphur and iron, and for battery anode grades on specific surface area, tap density and first-cycle capacity in the buyer's cell. Expandable graphite is bought on expansion ratio at a stated temperature, onset temperature, pH and mesh size, because those decide how an intumescent seal or coating performs. For building preparations, see our concrete admixtures and mortars guide.

Expandable graphite is made by intercalating acid into flake graphite, so ask for the safety data sheet and residual acid and sulphur figures; importers of more than one tonne a year of a substance should check UK REACH. Fine graphite dust needs controlling in handling.

Worked duty example

An invented example rather than a quote: 20 tonnes of synthetic graphite powder in bulk bags, commodity code 3801 10 90 85, bought for £64,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance, so £66,400 is the value customs works from. No duty is due on artificial graphite; import VAT at 20% of £66,400 is £13,280. If you are VAT-registered, that VAT is normally reclaimable. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.

What goes wrong

Graphite fails on purity, size and consistency. Ash and iron run higher than the certificate, which spoils battery and lubricant grades; the particle size distribution drifts from lot to lot; natural or blended graphite is supplied as synthetic; expandable graphite expands less or at a different temperature than the sample; and moisture or contamination gets into bags.

Test fixed carbon, ash, moisture and particle size on each lot against the certificate, check iron and sulphur where the grade is sensitive, measure the expansion ratio at the specified temperature on expandable grades, run the buyer's own cell, lubricant or intumescent test on the first lots, and inspect bulk bags for tears and contamination before loading.

Cambridge China Bridge sources synthetic, colloidal and expandable graphite for battery, lubricant, refractory and fire-protection makers, starting with lab samples and a trial lot. See how we handle first and smaller orders.