Sourcing butylated hydroxytoluene from China

BHT duty and tariff scope

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2907 covers phenols and phenol-alcohols. For pure butylated hydroxytoluene, the relevant residual monophenol line is 2907 19 90 90, carrying 4% duty on goods from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. The table shows purchasing specifications sharing this code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export control for waste to this line. The importer should confirm its applicability and any requirement with their customs broker, particularly if the consignment is recovered material or is being returned as waste.

Confirm the composition and commodity code before ordering, especially for antioxidant blends or preparations. For related products within the wider heading, see sourcing hydroquinone.

Specify BHT assay, impurities and particle size

Specify butylated hydroxytoluene by its full name, intended use and agreed analytical method. Put assay, water, colour, melting behaviour and the impurity profile into the purchase specification. Agree particle size and acceptable clumping against your dosing equipment. Request a batch certificate of analysis and retain an approved sample.

Before industrial imports, check UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE, including any applicable annual import threshold. Registration is assessed per substance and legal entity. Importers supplying Great Britain must also meet the chemical classification, labelling and packaging requirements before placing the material on the market.

For food use, check the applicable authorisation and intended application before selecting a supplier. Food additives need authorisation before being placed on the Great Britain market. Agree the supporting product specification with the buyer rather than accepting a supplier's food-grade description alone.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 tonne of butylated hydroxytoluene for formulation trials under 2907 19 90 90, invoiced at £1,800 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,600. Duty at 4% is £144. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,744, so it is £748.80. Import taxes total £892.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £144 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the product name, batch reference and certificate of analysis to the purchase order and delivered packages.

Analysis: test a representative batch sample against the agreed assay, impurity, water and colour specification; compare the laboratory method with the supplier's method.

Handling: inspect for hard clumps, excess fines, foreign material and changes in appearance; trial the material in your dosing and mixing process.

Packing: check seals, liners, package damage and batch traceability. Confirm classification, labels and packaging before supplying the material in Great Britain.

What goes wrong

A headline assay can hide an impurity profile that differs from the approved sample. Particle size or clumping can make dosing inconsistent, while damaged liners allow contamination. A certificate for a different batch leaves the delivered material unverified. Hold affected stock while the supplier and laboratory resolve the discrepancy.

A supplier's grade description does not establish suitability for your formulation or the intended food application. Record the end use, agreed tests and release criteria before production, then compare the delivered batch with that specification.

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.