Sourcing barytes and barite powder from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 2511 covers natural barium sulphate (barytes) and natural barium carbonate (witherite), whether or not calcined, other than barium oxide. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure, no registration and no suspension.

Precipitated barium sulphate and other barium chemicals are in chapter 28 (barium hydroxide is in our magnesium hydroxide guide); confirm the commodity code.

Grades and chemical rules

Drilling-grade barytes is bought to the American Petroleum Institute drilling fluid materials specification, also published as ISO 13500, which sets a minimum specific gravity of 4.2, with a 4.1 grade added in 2010, as well as limits on coarse and very fine particles and soluble alkaline salts. Filler grades for paint, plastics and brake pads are bought on whiteness, BaSO4 content and particle size. For mica sourcing, see our mica and mica powder guide.

Barytes and witherite are substances under UK REACH, so importers of one tonne or more a year need a registration position, and the safety data sheet follows the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008; check the classification of witherite in particular.

Specifying barytes

Specify use and grade, BaSO4 content, specific gravity, particle size or mesh, whiteness for fillers, iron oxide, soluble salts and heavy metals, moisture, and packing in 25 kg bags or 1 tonne bulk bags.

Worked duty example

For a made-up shipment of 100 tonnes of drilling-grade barite powder in jumbo bags under 2511 10 00 00, add the £4,500 of freight and insurance to the £14,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £18,500. Duty on barytes is zero, leaving import VAT of £3,700, 20% of the customs value. For a VAT-registered buyer that is a cash-flow cost rather than a lasting one. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.

Inspection checklist

Analysis: check specific gravity, BaSO4 and fineness on the certificate, and verify a sample in an independent laboratory.

Filler grades: check whiteness and particle size against the approved sample.

Packing: check bulk bag lifting loops, liners, weights and lot marking.

What goes wrong

Barytes orders fail on density and fineness. Specific gravity is below the drilling grade, particles are too coarse or too fine, whiteness varies between lots, and bulk bags split in handling.

Test samples before shipping. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources barytes for UK drilling fluid, paint, plastics and radiation shielding buyers, checking the mill's lab first. See factory verification.