Sourcing azelaic acid from China

Azelaic acid duty and tariff scope

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, azelaic acid under 2917 13 90 90 carries 6% duty for goods from China. Heading 2917 covers polycarboxylic acids and specified derivatives. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is shown for this line. The listed 0.00 % suspension applies only to dimethyl sebacate, not azelaic acid.

The supplied tariff record attaches an export control for waste. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls only apply when the material is waste. If your proposed Chinese supply is waste or recovered residue, confirm the applicable import requirements with your customs broker before shipment.

The table shows buying specifications sharing the same supplied tariff line, rather than separate codes. Confirm the chemical identity, composition and commodity code before ordering. For wider heading coverage, see the succinic acid guide.

Specify assay, impurities and particle size

Specify azelaic acid by chemical identity and intended use. Agree assay, related-acid impurities, moisture, colour, ash and particle-size distribution, with test methods and acceptance criteria. For micronised material, ask for measured results rather than a grade name alone. Request a batch certificate of analysis and a sample for a trial in your actual formulation or process.

Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration is required for your annual substance imports. Chemical suppliers, including importers, are responsible for classification. Ask for an English safety data sheet and review the proposed hazard label against the actual material.

For cosmetic use, agree which impurity and microbiological results your safety assessor needs. Before a finished cosmetic is made available to consumers in Great Britain, its safety must be checked by a qualified safety assessor. A raw-material certificate is useful input to that assessment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 100 kg of azelaic acid powder; FOB and freight values are illustrative. under 2917 13 90 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,480. Duty at 6% is £208.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,688.80, so it is £737.76. Import taxes total £946.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £208.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate, packaging and invoice to azelaic acid.

Composition: test assay, related acids and moisture against the agreed methods; retain a labelled batch sample.

Particle size: verify the agreed distribution and trial dispersion in your formulation, checking for grit and persistent agglomerates.

Packaging: inspect seals, liners, contamination and caking; reconcile batch markings with the certificate and review the safety data sheet.

What goes wrong

A batch can meet its assay specification yet fail your formulation because particle size or impurities differ from the approved sample. A broad particle-size distribution can leave grit; damp or poorly sealed packs can arrive caked. Agree how disputed results will be checked before paying for production.

A supplier may quote the suspension attached to the shared code without checking the named substance. For azelaic acid, budget for 6%, not the dimethyl sebacate suspension. Keep batch approval tied to measured results and your intended use.

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.