Sourcing Boron Trifluoride from China

Boron trifluoride duty and tariff controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2812 covers halides and halide oxides of non-metals. Boron trifluoride gas falls within the residual line 2812 90 00 90, carrying 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for that line. Only this line is relevant to the gas covered here.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import control, waste import control and waste export control to this line. Confirm the applicable requirements for the actual goods from China with your customs broker before shipment. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; establish whether a recovered or spent consignment has that status.

Give your broker the composition, physical form and safety data sheet to confirm the commodity code. Ask separately about solutions or ether complexes rather than assuming the gas code applies. See the wider non-metal halides guide.

Specify gas purity and the cylinder connection

Specify boron trifluoride gas, its intended process, minimum purity, maximum moisture and named impurities, with agreed analytical methods. Require a batch certificate showing measured results rather than a general product specification. Ask the producer to explain how the supplied cylinder batch connects to the analysis.

Agree fill quantity, cylinder material, valve outlet, compatible receiving equipment and cylinder ownership or return arrangements. Confirm applicable transportable pressure equipment approval requirements for cylinders used in Great Britain with the relevant transport authority or your customs broker. Obtain the safety data sheet and cylinder test records before shipping; check the UK REACH registration position for the supply.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative cylinder batch for a small business process trial under 2812 90 00 90, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 4% is £680. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,680, so it is £3,536. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £680 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the cylinder labels, safety data sheet, invoice and batch certificate to boron trifluoride gas and the ordered grade.

Analysis: compare purity, moisture and named impurity results with the purchase specification; confirm the batch and test method.

Cylinders: check approval markings, periodic inspection status, cylinder identification, valve outlet, protective cap and visible damage.

Supply documents: check correct hazard labelling and packaging against the safety data sheet, and reconcile cylinder identifiers with the packing list. Use a documented inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A quotation may describe an ether complex or solution while the buyer expects gas. A generic analysis certificate may omit moisture results or fail to identify the delivered batch. Agree the exact form and acceptance criteria before payment, and resolve missing analytical evidence before dispatch.

A valve connection that does not fit the receiving equipment can prevent use even when the gas meets its specification. Damaged valve protection, unclear cylinder ownership and expired inspection marks also cause problems. Confirm the connection and cylinder records with the receiving site before shipment.

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.