Sourcing bulk antacid mixtures from China
Bulk antacid medicament mixtures from China carry 0% UK duty under 3003 90 00 00 when the formula fits that line. Human medicines need an MHRA manufacturer's licence covering importation; confirm applicable qualified person batch release requirements with MHRA. Agree composition and acid-neutralising performance before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources bulk antacid medicament mixtures.
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Duty and classification for bulk antacid mixtures
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 14 October 2026, heading 3003 covers therapeutic or prophylactic medicaments made from mixed constituents, excluding measured doses and retail packs. Ordinary bulk antacid medicament mixtures may fit 3003 90 00 00, the residual 'Other' line. The table gives formulation examples sharing that line, subject to checking the complete composition.
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China under this line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. It attaches 'Goods for torture and repression, export restriction'. Official guidance describes controls that include drugs used in lethal injection. Ask your customs broker to confirm the flag's relevance to the exact antacid mixture and any onward export.
Confirm the commodity code using the full formula, intended medicinal use and packing. Medicines in measured doses or retail packs belong to heading 3004. See the wider bulk medicaments guide for the surrounding heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide antacid mixture | 3003 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the antacid formula and import route
Specify each active ingredient and excipient, its chemical form, content and tolerance. Agree an acid-neutralising capacity test and acceptance criteria, alongside identity, impurities, blend uniformity and water content. For powder, agree particle size and resistance to segregation; for suspension, agree viscosity, settling and redispersibility.
Importing human medicines needs an MHRA manufacturer's licence covering importation. Before a human medicine is sold, marketing authorisation is required. Confirm applicable qualified person batch release and wholesale distribution licensing requirements with MHRA. Have the licensed importer confirm the route for the bulk intermediate and the intended finished medicine before ordering.
Agree storage conditions, retest date, container compatibility and the batch documents the importer needs. Use factory verification to check the actual manufacturing site and its ability to supply traceable batches.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of bulk calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate antacid mixture under 3003 90 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £31,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,500, so it is £6,300. 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
Documents: match the formula, manufacturing site, batch identification and certificate of analysis to the order and the licensed importer's release documents.
Performance: arrange independent sampling for identity, active content, impurities, uniformity and the agreed acid-neutralising capacity test.
Physical condition: check powders for moisture, caking and segregation; check suspensions for leakage, settling and redispersibility against the agreed specification.
Containers: check seals, batch labels, net contents and storage records. Investigate damaged closures or transport conditions outside the agreed range before accepting the batch.
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What goes wrong
An ingredient certificate can be mistaken for evidence that the finished blend meets its specification. A blend may have acceptable average active content but uneven distribution or unsuitable neutralising performance. Agree sampling and test methods before production, and compare arrival results with the approved sample.
Moisture can cake powders, while settled suspensions may be difficult to redisperse. Incomplete manufacturing records can also delay qualified person release. Hold disputed batches apart while the licensed importer reviews the documents and results. See quality inspection explained.
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 bulk antacid mixtures from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% under 3003 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the complete formula and bulk presentation fit this line.
Do I need a licence to import bulk antacid medicines?
Human medicines need an MHRA manufacturer's licence covering importation. Confirm applicable qualified person batch release requirements with MHRA. Have the licensed importer confirm the route before ordering.
Are retail antacid tablets covered by this guide?
No. Medicines in measured doses or retail packs belong to heading 3004. This guide concerns mixed antacid medicaments supplied in bulk.
What should I test in a bulk antacid blend?
Agree identity, active content, impurities, uniformity and acid-neutralising capacity tests. Add particle size and moisture checks for powders, or settling and redispersibility checks for suspensions.