Sourcing Calcium Metal Granules from China

Calcium granules: duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 November 2026, heading 2805 covers alkali and alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium, yttrium and mercury. Calcium metal granules fall within the other-calcium line, 2805 12 00 90. The table shows buying specifications sharing that line. See the wider metals guide for the rest of the heading.

Goods from China under 2805 12 00 90 carry 4% duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The separate line 2805 12 00 10 carries a 0.00 % suspension for calcium of 98% purity or more by weight in powder or wire form. Its suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these products.

The tariff attaches import waste control and also lists export waste control. If material from China is waste requiring notification, dispatch, destination and transit authorities must consent before shipment. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable waste requirement, including before arranging a return. Confirm the commodity code using composition and physical form, particularly where fine granules could be described as powder.

Specify calcium assay, granule size and drum sealing

Specify elemental calcium content, named impurity limits, the agreed particle size range and the acceptable fines content. State whether assay describes the supplied material or excludes surface contamination. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis with test methods and agree independent sampling before dispatch. Define granules clearly so the factory cannot substitute powder or an alloy.

Agree the sealing method, protective atmosphere or medium, drum construction and net contents with the supplier and carrier. Request the safety data sheet and dangerous goods declaration before booking transport. Dangerous goods need correct transport packaging, hazard symbols, warnings and safety advice. Arrange inspection through our inspection guide.

For Great Britain, confirm your UK REACH registration position with HSE for the planned annual import volume. Ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging before supplying the market. A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work. These documents should describe the actual material and packing supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of calcium metal granules in sealed drums under 2805 12 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 4% is £208. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,408, so it is £1,081.60. Import taxes total £1,289.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £208 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the drum batch references to the purchase order and calcium analysis certificate; check the agreed impurities and test methods.

Granule size: have an equipped laboratory check representative samples against the agreed size range and fines allowance using an agreed safe sampling procedure.

Drums: check closures, seal damage, dents, leakage and signs of moisture exposure before opening; refer suspect drums to the agreed handling specialist.

Documents: match the safety data sheet, hazard labels, transport declaration and packing list to the supplied material; verify the net contents and batch traceability.

What goes wrong

A purity certificate can conceal excessive fines, surface contamination or impurities that affect the buyer's process. Poor sealing can leave discoloured or deteriorated material. Agree acceptance criteria for these conditions rather than accepting a certificate as proof of the whole delivery.

A supplier may describe granules as powder to claim the suspension, or send a certificate for a different batch. Check physical form as well as assay, retain the batch records and resolve discrepancies before using the material. Keep questionable drums sealed pending specialist advice.

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.