Sourcing Calcium Cyanamide from China

6% on the relevant other-fertiliser line

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 3102 covers mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilisers. The supplied tariff extract does not name calcium cyanamide separately. Its candidate line is 3102 90 00 90, for other nitrogenous fertilisers. The table shows product forms against this same candidate line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

For goods from China, that line carries 6% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded in the supplied extract. These findings concern that line only. Have the broker check the complete formulation and pack size before using it.

Confirm the commodity code using the composition, nutrient analysis, intended use and packaging. For other products within this heading, see the calcium ammonium nitrate fertiliser guide.

Specify cyanamide nitrogen and physical form

Write calcium cyanamide fertiliser explicitly into the purchase specification. Request total nitrogen and nitrogen bound as cyanamide, calcium content, moisture and a complete ingredient declaration. Identify added nitrate or other fertilisers. Agree powder or granules, particle size distribution, fines, granule strength and the sampling method. Set acceptance limits in the contract rather than accepting a generic nitrogen certificate.

For sale in Great Britain, confirm the applicable fertiliser type and nutrient labelling requirements with the relevant authority. Chemical classification is the supplier's responsibility, including the importer; substances and mixtures must be labelled and packaged correctly before supply. For a substance you have not imported previously, consider whether UK REACH registration is required.

Request a safety data sheet matching the formulation and use it to agree handling, storage and freight arrangements. Settle the label and testing brief before production with testing and certification support.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of granular calcium cyanamide fertiliser under 3102 90 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 6% is £690. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,190, so it is £2,438. Import taxes total £3,128; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £690 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity and analysis: compare independently drawn batch samples with the agreed total nitrogen, cyanamide nitrogen, calcium and moisture specifications. Match the laboratory report to the shipment batch.

Physical condition: check granule size, fines, crushing strength and hard lumps. On arrival, compare samples from different bags with the approved sample and record any damp material.

Packaging: inspect liners, seams, closures and bag weights. Check for punctures, leakage and moisture staining before loading and again on arrival.

Labels and documents: match the product name, declared nutrients and batch references across bags, analysis reports and the safety data sheet. Review chemical hazard labels against the classification. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A total nitrogen result alone can conceal a different balance of nitrogen forms from the one ordered. Other rejection points include excess fines, weak granules, hard caking, torn liners and labels or analysis reports that describe a different formulation. Agree how each defect will be measured and resolved before shipment.

Do not release stock merely because the customs declaration was accepted. Compare arrival samples and documents with the contract, investigate mismatches and keep affected bags separate while the supplier responds.

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.