Sourcing barium carbonate from China

Barium carbonate duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 2836 covers carbonates and peroxocarbonates, including barium carbonate. Its barium carbonate lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table separates physical forms within the same code; these are not separate tariff lines.

Code 2836 60 00 10 covers barium carbonate with strontium content of more than 0,07% by weight and sulphur content of more than 0,0015% by weight, whether powder, pressed granular or calcined granular. Other barium carbonate falls under 2836 60 00 90. Obtain batch analysis for both impurities and confirm the commodity code. See the wider carbonate guide for other products.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For notified waste entering England from China, the process starts with the exporter applying to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Confirm the shipment's waste status and applicable requirements with your customs broker before ordering.

Specify assay, impurities and physical form

Specify barium carbonate assay, strontium, sulphur, iron, moisture and insoluble matter, with agreed analytical methods. State whether you need powder, pressed granules or calcined granules, and agree particle size and a representative sample. For ceramic or glass production, trial the sample in your own formulation before approving bulk supply.

Great Britain importers must ensure correct labelling and packaging before placing chemicals on the market; confirm classification duties with HSE. Settle your UK REACH registration position before importing; where a new registration is required, it must be complete before imports reach the annual tonne threshold. Ask for the safety data sheet and batch analysis as separate documents. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require a safety data sheet.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of barium carbonate under 2836 60 00 90, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,500. Duty at 4% is £980. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,480, so it is £5,096. Import taxes total £6,076; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £980 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the product name, physical form and batch references across bags, analysis certificates and order documents.

Composition: independently check assay, strontium and sulphur against the agreed specification and declared commodity code.

Particle size: compare powder or granules with the approved sample; check fines, oversized particles and caking.

Packaging: check bag seals, liners, leakage and moisture damage; compare hazard labels with the agreed classification and safety data sheet.

What goes wrong

A certificate stating only total assay leaves strontium and sulphur unverified. A different impurity profile can change the tariff line even though the listed duty stays the same. Powder supplied against a granular order, excessive fines and damp, caked bags can also disrupt handling and dosing.

Keep batch samples and agree how disputed results will be retested. Hold material that fails the agreed specification while the supplier investigates. Do not treat a laboratory certificate as proof that chemical classification, labels or registration arrangements are complete.

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.