Sourcing bismuth from China
Bismuth from China, unwrought ingots and needles, powders, waste and scrap and articles, pays 0% UK duty on all four lines of heading 8106, with no anti-dumping duty. The tariff separates bismuth of more than 99.99% purity. Buyers making low-melting alloys, lead-free solders and pharmaceuticals check purity, lead and silver limits, form and packing.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 8106 covers bismuth and articles thereof, including waste and scrap, split into bismuth containing more than 99.99% bismuth and other, each with unwrought metal, waste and powders on one line and other articles on another. The tariff attaches a waste import control to the metal, waste and powder lines; new metal clears on a declaration that it is not waste, while waste and scrap need the waste shipment documents.
Bismuth compounds are chemicals classified elsewhere; confirm the commodity code from the purity and form.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 99.99% bismuth: unwrought, waste and scrap, powders | 8106 10 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Over 99.99% bismuth: other | 8106 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other bismuth: unwrought, waste and scrap, powders | 8106 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other bismuth: other | 8106 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying bismuth
Specify purity, lead, silver, copper and iron limits, form (ingot, needles, granules or powder) and particle size, and packing. For pharmaceutical or cosmetic ingredients made from bismuth, the relevant grade and documents apply to the finished compound, not only the metal.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1 tonne of 99.99% bismuth needles under 8106 90 10 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,300, so it is £2,460. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Assay: check purity and lead content against the grade.
Form: check ingot weights or granule and powder size.
Packing: check sealed packing and marks. See our quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
Bismuth orders fail on purity and form. Purity is just below the 99.99% line that decides the code and the price, lead content is high, and powder oxidises in poor packing.
Cambridge China Bridge sources minor metals for UK manufacturers with assay and documents agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on bismuth from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all four lines of heading 8106 carried 0% from China.
Why does the tariff split bismuth at 99.99%?
It separates high-purity bismuth; the assay decides which line applies.
Is bismuth used in lead-free solder?
Yes, in some lead-free and low-melting alloys; purity and lead content matter.
Are bismuth compounds in heading 8106?
No. Bismuth compounds are chemicals classified elsewhere.