Sourcing carbon aerogel powder from China
Carbon aerogel powder from China carries 0% UK duty when correctly classified under heading 2803, with no trade remedy or suspension recorded. Suppliers must ensure chemicals are correctly labelled and packaged before placing them on the Great Britain market. Cambridge China Bridge sources carbon aerogel powder.
Duty and classification of carbon aerogel powder
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 2803 covers carbon blacks and other forms of carbon not elsewhere specified or included. Its single commodity line, 2803 00 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls to this line. Establish whether the consignment is a manufactured product or waste. For waste imports into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply for consent to the competent authority in the dispatch country. For a shipment from China, confirm the applicable waste procedure with your customs broker before dispatch; also confirm controls before returning rejected material.
Confirm the commodity code using the composition, processing history and intended use. Activated carbon belongs to heading 3802 in the site's published background, so do not assume an activated aerogel powder belongs under 2803. The table contains the single available tariff line. For the wider heading, see the hard carbon anode powder guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon aerogel powder, subject to confirmation of composition and classification | 2803 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify pore structure and powder condition
Describe the intended use and agree carbon content, ash, moisture, particle-size distribution, bulk density, specific surface area, pore volume and pore-size distribution. Ask the producer to identify the precursor, carbonisation process, activation treatment and any additives. Distinguish loose powder from crushed granules and dispersions. Specify test methods and sample preparation, rather than accepting a surface-area figure without its measurement conditions.
For electrode trials, agree conductivity testing and performance in your own formulation. For insulation trials, agree how the powder will be packed and how thermal performance will be measured. Retain an approved sample and require a batch certificate of analysis. Check the UK REACH registration position for the identified substance and your importing business: registration is per substance, per legal entity.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order only: 20 kg of carbon aerogel powder; values are not a quotation under 2803 00 00 00, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,000, so it is £4,800. 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 batch certificate, supplier product designation, composition and processing declaration to the purchase specification; retain a sealed sample.
Pores and particles: compare surface area, pore distribution, particle size and bulk density with the approved sample using the agreed preparation and test methods.
Cleanliness: test moisture and ash, inspect for grit and foreign material, and investigate differences between samples from separate packs.
Packaging and supply documents: check seals, liners, net contents and batch traceability on arrival. Review the safety data sheet and handling information. Suppliers must ensure substances and mixtures are correctly labelled and packaged before placing them on the Great Britain market.
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What goes wrong
A powder can match the agreed surface area yet fail the application because its pore distribution, particle size or conductivity differs. Moisture, agglomeration and inconsistent bulk density can change mixing and dosing. Compare production samples with the approved material, and trial the actual supplied batch in your process before releasing it for use.
The name carbon aerogel does not settle composition or customs classification. An activation treatment, additive or dispersion can change the classification question. Resolve discrepancies in the processing declaration and certificate before shipment, and agree how damaged packs or failed batches will be handled.
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 carbon aerogel powder from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% under 2803 00 00 00, with no trade remedy or suspension, read on 4 October 2026. Confirm that your powder belongs in this line.
Is activated carbon aerogel powder also under heading 2803?
Do not assume so. The site's published background places activated carbon under heading 3802. Ask your broker to review the activation process, composition and product description.
What should I test before accepting carbon aerogel powder?
Compare particle size, bulk density, surface area, pore distribution, moisture and ash against the agreed specification. For electrode use, also trial conductivity and performance in your formulation.
Does the supplier's REACH paperwork cover my import?
Check the identified substance and your importing business separately. UK REACH registration is per substance, per legal entity; a supplier document alone does not establish your position.