Sourcing Benzalkonium Chloride from China
Benzalkonium chloride raw material falls for consideration under the residual quaternary ammonium line, with standard China duty of 6%; listed pharmaceutical relief can give 0%. Disinfectant supply needs a separate biocides compliance check. Cambridge China Bridge sources benzalkonium chloride.
Benzalkonium chloride duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 2923 covers quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides, lecithins and other phosphoaminolipids. For benzalkonium chloride raw material, consider 2923 90 00 90. Its standard China duty is 6%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure shown. The wider heading guide describes pharmaceutical relief to 0%; do not assume that a supplier's pharmaceutical-grade description establishes eligibility.
The residual line has a suspension restricted to named tetrapropylammonium hydroxide solution or tetrakis (dimethylditetradecylammonium) molybdate, rather than benzalkonium chloride. It also attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste. These are labelled export controls in the supplied tariff record; ask your customs broker to confirm whether any requirement applies to your transaction.
Confirm the commodity code using the full composition, solvent and intended presentation. The table shows purchasing variants under the same residual line, rather than separate tariff lines; classification remains subject to confirmation. For other substances and pharmaceutical relief, read the wider quaternary ammonium guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzalkonium chloride, other quaternary ammonium salts | 2923 90 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify identity, active content and intended use
Specify benzalkonium chloride by chemical identity, alkyl-chain distribution, active content and solvent composition. Agree the assay method, impurity checks, appearance and acceptable storage behaviour with the supplier. Request a batch certificate of analysis and a retained sample; a trade name alone is an inadequate purchase specification.
Separate raw material procurement from supply as a disinfectant. Imported biocidal products must comply with relevant Great Britain legislation before market placement. The active substance's status determines the route to market. Check the relevant supplier listing for the intended product type, including whether your own product-supplier listing is needed. For industrial quats, confirm the applicable UK REACH position with HSE before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10 tonnes of benzalkonium chloride raw material under 2923 90 00 90, invoiced at £42,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £43,800. Duty at 6% is £2,628. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £46,428, so it is £9,285.60. Import taxes total £11,913.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,628 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare the batch certificate, container description and purchase specification; verify the agreed alkyl-chain profile where it matters to your formulation.
Assay: test representative samples for active content using the agreed method, and confirm whether the reported result refers to the supplied solution or dry substance.
Condition: inspect colour, clarity and separation against the approved sample; investigate unexpected sediment or inconsistent results between containers.
Packing: check seals, leaks and batch identification; compare hazard labels with the English safety data sheet and retain samples before releasing stock.
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What goes wrong
An order described only as benzalkonium chloride can arrive with a different chain distribution, solvent system or active content. This can change dilution calculations and formulation performance. Agree acceptance criteria before production and investigate discrepancies before blending the delivery into existing stock.
A raw-material certificate does not settle the compliance of a disinfectant sold to customers. Check the active substance status and relevant supplier listing before committing to that use. Use quality inspection to plan batch sampling and document checks.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on benzalkonium chloride from China?
The standard rate for the residual line 2923 90 00 90 is 6%. Listed pharmaceutical relief can give 0%, subject to eligibility. The named suspension on that line does not cover benzalkonium chloride.
Can I sell imported benzalkonium chloride as a disinfectant?
Check the biocides route first. Imported biocidal products must comply with relevant GB legislation before market placement; active substance status and the relevant supplier listing matter.
What should a benzalkonium chloride specification include?
Chemical identity, alkyl-chain distribution, active content, solvent composition, agreed assay method, impurity checks, appearance, packing and batch traceability.
Is a supplier's certificate of analysis enough?
Use it with representative batch testing and the agreed specification. It does not by itself establish the compliance of a disinfectant you intend to supply.