Sourcing brown fused alumina grit from China
Brown fused alumina grit from China normally pays 4% UK duty. The 0% to 4% fused-corundum range includes a conditional high-purity suspension. Confirm chemistry and grain distribution for the code, and check UK REACH registration before importing. Cambridge China Bridge sources brown fused alumina grit.
4% for ordinary brown fused alumina grit
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2818 covers artificial corundum, aluminium oxide and aluminium hydroxide. Brown fused alumina grit belongs within artificial corundum. The ordinary brown-grit lines below 98.5% aluminium oxide carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension shown. Classification depends on chemistry and particle-size distribution, rather than the colour or grit designation alone.
The higher-purity table row shows the purity boundary: qualifying artificial corundum above 98.5% aluminium oxide can receive a 0% suspension under 2818 10 11 99. Its suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing different components. Establish eligibility from the actual material analysis and tariff description. The special fused-grit line also has titanium dioxide and grain-distribution conditions to check. See the wider fused alumina and aluminium hydroxide guide.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For a China-to-England shipment of grit as waste under notification controls, the dispatch, transit and destination authorities must consent before shipment. Confirm the applicable waste requirement with your customs broker, particularly for spent or reclaimed material. Send the composition report and sieve results when confirming the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown fused grit: alumina below 98.5%, less than 50% by weight over 10 mm | 2818 10 91 99 | 4% | None |
| Fused grit below 98.5% alumina, meeting titanium dioxide and grain-distribution limits | 2818 10 91 91 | 4% | None |
| Coarse brown fused grain: alumina below 98.5%, at least 50% by weight over 10 mm | 2818 10 99 00 | 4% | None |
| Purity boundary: other corundum with alumina at least 98.5%, less than 50% over 10 mm | 2818 10 11 99 | 4% | None |
Specify chemistry and the full grit distribution
State whether the grit is for blasting, bonded abrasives or refractory use. Agree the grit designation, grading method, sieve limits and permitted fines and oversize fractions. Specify aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide and magnetic material limits, plus bulk density and moisture. Ask whether the grain is fresh or reclaimed, and identify any treatment or blending. Keep an approved sample and require a certificate of analysis matched to each production lot.
For Great Britain, check UK REACH registration against substance identity and annual imported volume. Registration is per substance and per legal entity. Chemical suppliers, including importers, are responsible for hazard classification. Check that the applicable chemical labelling and packaging are correct before supply. Ask for the safety data sheet and compare its material identity with the analysis certificate.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of brown fused alumina grit under 2818 10 91 99, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,200. Duty at 4% is £808. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,008, so it is £4,201.60. Import taxes total £5,009.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £808 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Chemistry: sample across the lot and compare aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide and magnetic material with the agreed grade; use chemical analysis rather than colour as evidence.
Grading: sieve representative samples of coarse grit and record the complete distribution, including fines and oversize grains, against the agreed method.
Batch identity: match bag markings, certificates and retained samples to the same lot; check net weights and investigate mixed or missing batch labels.
Packing: check bags, liners and pallet protection for tears, moisture and caking on arrival. Include these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A grit designation can conceal excessive fines or oversize grains. This changes the finish and abrasive behaviour even when the bags carry the expected grade. Titanium dioxide or magnetic material outside specification can also make a lot unsuitable. Compare the shipment with the approved sample and lot analysis before releasing it to production.
Wet liners and torn bags cause caking, contamination and lost material. Keep affected bags identifiable while investigating. A supplier's description of reclaimed grit can also leave waste status unresolved, while an unsupported high-purity claim can lead to an incorrect duty assumption. Settle these points before dispatch.
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 brown fused alumina grit from China?
The ordinary brown-grit lines below 98.5% aluminium oxide carry 4% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension shown in the supplied tariff reading.
What should I specify when buying brown fused alumina grit?
Specify use, grit designation, grading method, fines and oversize limits, aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide, magnetic material, bulk density, moisture and fresh or reclaimed status.
Can brown fused alumina grit qualify for zero duty?
Ordinary brown-grit lines have no suspension shown. A higher-purity corundum suspension requires aluminium oxide above 98.5% and compliance with the relevant tariff description and exclusions.
Do I need UK REACH registration for imported abrasive grit?
Check registration using the actual substance identity and annual imported volume, and confirm the applicable registration threshold with HSE. Registration is per substance and per legal entity.