Sourcing blown castor oil from China

Blown castor oil duty and formulation checks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 1518 covers chemically modified oils, including blown oils, and inedible oil mixtures or preparations. Neat blown castor oil falls within the other chemically modified oils description at 1518 00 91 80, carrying 6% duty from China. That line records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.

The table distinguishes neat oil from possible preparations and biodiesel-containing blends. Other inedible preparations carry 6%; the selected modified-oil biodiesel blend lines carry 7.70% plus a recorded residual anti-dumping rate of 54.64%. None of these selected lines records a suspension. The tariff attaches waste, veterinary and CITES controls, plus seal-product controls on the modified-oil lines. Confirm the veterinary documents or non-applicability for the exact Chinese formulation with your customs broker.

For waste imported into England under notification controls, the Chinese exporter must apply to its competent authority for consent. CITES-listed ingredients require the relevant permit checks; seal products imported for trade require a seal catch certificate. These controls concern the actual ingredients and waste status, so ask your broker to confirm the requirements for plant-only blown castor oil. Confirm the commodity code using composition and processing records. See the wider modified oils guide for other formulations.

Specify viscosity and the blowing process

Describe the material as blown or oxidised castor oil and state whether it is neat or blended. Ask for the starting oil, processing description, additives and intended industrial application. Agree viscosity at a stated test temperature, the test method, acid value, hydroxyl value, iodine value, moisture, colour and insoluble matter. Compare a production sample with your approved sample in the intended coating, resin or lubricant formulation.

Agree drum material, closure, cleanliness, batch identification and storage instructions. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and chemical identity documents. For a substance you have not previously imported, consider whether UK REACH registration is required. Chemical labels and packaging must be correct before sale in Great Britain; confirm any safety data sheet requirements for hazardous mixtures with HSE. Use factory verification to check the producer's process and laboratory records.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10 tonnes of neat blown castor oil in sealed drums under 1518 00 91 80, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 6% is £1,950. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,450, so it is £6,890. Import taxes total £8,840; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,950 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Most food for human consumption is zero-rated, and animal feed can be too, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product in HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14.

Inspection checklist

Identity: check that the invoice, batch certificate and supplied sample describe blown castor oil and disclose any blending oils or additives.

Viscosity: test an arrival sample using the agreed method and temperature; compare acid, hydroxyl and iodine values with the purchase specification.

Condition: check colour, sediment, water contamination and gel particles; trial the batch in your actual formulation before releasing it for production.

Drums and records: check seals, leaks, corrosion, net contents and batch markings; match the chemical documents to the delivered material. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A viscosity result without its test temperature can conceal a mismatch. A supplier may send ordinary castor oil, a differently oxidised grade or a diluted blend under the same sales name. Excessive viscosity, gel particles, moisture or an unsuitable colour can make a batch difficult to pump or change the finish of a coating.

Keep an approved sample and agree the test method before ordering. Investigate differences between the sample and production batch before blending the delivery into existing stock. Undisclosed biodiesel components can also change tariff treatment, while missing waste-status evidence leaves the attached waste control unresolved.

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.