Sourcing Calcined Bauxite from China

Calcined bauxite duty and waste controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 15 November 2026, heading 2606 covers aluminium ores and concentrates. Calcined bauxite is usually declared under 2606 00 00 00. This heading has a single commodity line; the table shows different uses under that same code. See the wider bauxite and aluminium ores guide.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For notified waste from China into England, ask your customs broker to confirm who should start the application, where it should be submitted and what consents are needed before shipment. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable procedure.

Confirm the commodity code using the mineral identity, processing history and intended form of supply. Chemically produced calcined or fused alumina falls under heading 2818 rather than this ore heading. Check the producer's description rather than treating similar product names as interchangeable.

Specify the calcined grade and particle size

State whether the material is for refractories, abrasives, foundry use or proppant manufacture. Agree alumina content and limits for iron oxide, titanium oxide, silica, calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. For refractory grades, specify bulk density and apparent porosity alongside particle size distribution and moisture. Have the receiving processor approve the specification.

Ask for the feedstock identity, calcination history, lot assay and sampling method. Obtain the producer's UK REACH position and safety data sheet; the published ore guide advises checking whether a calcined grade qualifies for a registration exemption rather than assuming it does. Agree sealed retained samples, bag construction and how assay disputes will be resolved. Use factory verification to check the kiln and laboratory capability.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of bagged refractory-grade calcined bauxite for a specialist business under 2606 00 00 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £6,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £46,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £46,000, so it is £9,200. 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: match the calcined material, processing history and lot references to the order and assay report.

Chemistry: independently sample the shipment and compare alumina and agreed impurity levels with the approved specification.

Physical grade: check particle size distribution, moisture and, for refractory grades, bulk density and apparent porosity.

Packing: check bag seams, liners, leakage, lot marks and container dryness on arrival. Record caking and damaged bags using the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A selected sample can meet the specification while the shipment contains unevenly blended material. Low alumina, excessive iron or titanium, and unsuitable density or porosity can make a refractory grade unusable for the intended process. Agree representative sampling and acceptance criteria before payment.

Excess fines, particle size drift and damp bags can disrupt handling and cause caking. Separately, recovered material described simply as bauxite can leave waste status unresolved. Establish its origin and status before booking transport, and confirm waste controls with your broker if applicable.

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.