Sourcing asbestos from China

Zero duty does not authorise asbestos imports

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2524 covers asbestos: crocidolite under 2524 10 00 00 and other asbestos under 2524 90 00 00. Both lines show 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. These are classification entries, not products to order.

The supplied tariff record attaches import control for waste, export control on dangerous chemicals and export control for waste. For a proposed waste consignment from China, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before making arrangements. The tariff control listing does not override the prohibition on ordinary commercial asbestos imports.

Confirm the mineral identity and commodity code before considering any purchase. The supplied heading contains only the lines shown, so additional rows would invent classifications. No hypothetical purchase or landed-cost example is provided for prohibited goods; the zero values in the example fields are placeholders.

Specify an asbestos-free replacement

For an insulation, reinforcement or friction-material enquiry, describe the intended application and required performance to the replacement supplier. Ask for the full material composition, mineral identity and a batch-linked laboratory report addressing asbestos. Do not approve a material from a trade name, colour or supplier photograph alone.

Treat any offer explicitly described as asbestos, crocidolite or chrysotile as a reason to stop the purchasing process. Review our asbestos product ban guide before discussing an alternative.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: No illustrative order: asbestos cannot be sourced for ordinary commercial import. under 2524 90 00 00, invoiced at £0 free on board, with £0 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £0. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £0, so it is £0. 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: check the declared mineral and composition against the proposed replacement specification.

Evidence: check that the laboratory report identifies the supplier, material and batch offered.

Documents: check that labels, packing lists and reports describe the same material.

Arrival: if asbestos is unexpectedly suspected during work, stop work immediately and arrange competent assessment rather than opening material for routine inspection.

What goes wrong

The purchasing error is treating a zero tariff rate as permission to import. Another is accepting an unfamiliar mineral trade name without checking composition. Resolve identity and importability before approving a sample or shipment.

An asbestos-containing article cannot simply be sold or given away. If a suspect consignment has arrived, seek specialist advice on assessment and handling before deciding its destination.

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.