Bentonite and clays from China

Zero duty on clays

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, bentonite, fireclay, other clays, andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite, mullite, and chamotte or dinas earths of heading 2508 carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.

Kaolin and kaolinic clays are in heading 2507, expanded clays in 6806, and refractory bricks made from these clays in 6902, covered in our refractory bricks guide. Confirm the commodity code for litter or drilling products that contain additives.

Grades by end use

Bentonite is sold by end use. Clumping cat litter uses sodium bentonite granules graded on absorption, clump strength and dust; drilling fluids use grades made to API Specification 13A; foundries buy on green compression strength and swelling; and sealing and liner grades are specified by swell index. The same deposit can make several grades, so name the use and the test method in the order.

Fine clay dust can contain respirable crystalline silica, which has a workplace exposure limit in HSE's EH40 list, so ask for the quartz and cristobalite content on the safety data sheet and plan dust control where the clay is bagged or used. Retail cat litter must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and carry the importer's UK address.

Worked duty example

Take a hypothetical order of 40 tonnes of drilling-grade sodium bentonite in bulk bags, entered under 2508 10 00 00: £6,000 free on board plus £3,000 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £9,000. Bentonite carry no duty, so import VAT of 20% on £9,000, £1,800, is the only tax. A VAT-registered importer normally reclaims it, so the border adds no lasting cost. Kaolin is classified in heading 2507, and scented cat litter with additives may be classified as a preparation, so check the product. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.

What goes wrong

Clay lots fail on grade and moisture. Calcium bentonite or a blended clay is supplied against a sodium order, so litter will not clump and drilling mud will not build viscosity; moisture rises in transit and granules cake; fines exceed the grading so litter is dusty; and bags burst when bulk bags are stacked or handled wet.

Test each lot for swell index to ASTM D5890, moisture by oven drying, particle size by sieving against the grade, methylene blue value for montmorillonite content, and for litter grades absorption and clump strength against the approved sample, then check bag weights, bulk-bag lifting loops and pallet wrapping before loading.

Cambridge China Bridge sources bentonite and refractory clays for litter brands, drilling suppliers, foundries and ceramics makers, starting with samples tested against your grade. See how we handle first orders.