Sourcing boron trifluoride phenol from China

Duty and the proposed commodity code

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 15 October 2026, heading 2942 covers other organic compounds. The supplied residual line, 2942 00 00 90, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. Confirm that this line fits the actual boron trifluoride phenol complex supplied.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches veterinary control and waste export control to this line. Their application to this complex is unconfirmed; the importer should confirm the requirements with their customs broker before shipment.

Only the residual line is relevant to this product in the supplied data. Check the chemical identity, composition and any added solvent through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see boron trifluoride diethyl etherate.

Specify the phenol complex and its assay

Specify boron trifluoride phenol complex by chemical identity and composition. Ask the producer to state the boron trifluoride content, phenol content, free phenol, water content and any added solvent. Agree analytical methods and acceptance limits, rather than accepting an undefined purity claim.

Request a batch certificate of analysis and a sample for a controlled trial in your intended process. Agree the container material, closure, storage conditions and shelf life against the product's safety information. Keep the approved sample and specification linked to the purchase order.

For Great Britain, confirm the applicable UK REACH registration requirements with HSE for your annual import volume, including any only representative coverage. Check classification under GB CLP before supply. Everyone in the supply chain must ensure correct labelling and packaging before placing chemicals on the market.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 kg of boron trifluoride phenol complex under 2942 00 00 90, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,480. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,480, so it is £896. 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

Identity: check that the order, container labels, safety data sheet and batch certificate all identify the phenol complex and the same supplied composition.

Analysis: compare independent results for boron trifluoride content, free phenol and water with the agreed specification and test methods.

Containers: check seals, closures, leakage, damage and batch identification without opening packs outside an appropriate chemical handling area.

Handling: check the safety data sheet against your receiving and storage arrangements. Use it to inform your own risk assessment; it does not replace that assessment.

What goes wrong

A quoted purity can leave the buyer unsure whether it describes the complex, its boron trifluoride content or material diluted with solvent. Different composition or free phenol content can make the delivered batch unsuitable for the buyer's process. Agree what each reported result measures before approving production.

A matching product name alone does not establish matching composition. Resolve conflicting certificates, labels or safety information before releasing the batch for use. Arrange factory verification around the producer's batch records and change controls.

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.