Sourcing artificial graphite blocks from China

Duty and classification for graphite blocks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3801 covers artificial graphite and specified graphite or carbon preparations, including block forms. The relevant lines all carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls.

The table distinguishes artificial graphite from adjacent graphite or carbon preparations. The latter are comparison lines, not interchangeable descriptions of pure artificial graphite. Natural graphite belongs to heading 2504, while finished furnace electrodes belong to heading 8545. See the wider graphite guide.

Give your customs broker the composition, supplied form, intended use, dimensions, apparent density and electrical resistivity. Confirm the commodity code before ordering, especially where a supplier describes a finished component simply as a graphite block.

Specify the block grade and machining allowance

Specify synthetic graphite, the forming method, any impregnation, grain size, apparent density, electrical resistivity, strength and ash content. State the test methods and measurement direction, particularly for extruded material. Match the grade to your machining process and operating conditions rather than accepting the supplier's grade name alone.

Provide a drawing with supplied dimensions, tolerances, machining allowance and acceptable edge damage. Agree batch identification, representative test samples and packing that keeps blocks separated and supports their weight. Ask for composition and chemical safety information before approving a sample.

For a first import into Great Britain, assess whether UK REACH registration is required. Substances and mixtures supplied on the Great Britain market must be classified and labelled under its chemical classification and labelling regulation. Establish whether the supplied block is a substance, mixture or article before deciding which duties apply.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 600 unfinished artificial graphite blocks for a machining business under 3801 10 90 85, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,000, so it is £6,600. 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

Grade: compare batch certificates with independent checks of apparent density, electrical resistivity and ash against the agreed specification.

Geometry: measure dimensions, flatness and machining allowance; inspect edges and faces for chips and visible cracks.

Machining: trial a representative block using your intended tooling; check breakout, surface finish and whether defects appear below the surface.

Arrival: check packing movement, broken blocks, contamination and batch identification before mixing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A matching grade name can conceal a different forming method, grain structure or impregnation. Certificates may describe a sample rather than the delivered batch. Blocks can meet outside dimensions but leave too little machining allowance, while cracks and inclusions become visible only during cutting.

Separate blocks in the packing, retain a reference sample and agree how failed batches will be assessed. Control fine graphite dust during handling and machining. For commercial comparisons, compare usable machined output rather than block dimensions alone.

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.