Sourcing carbon nanofibres from China
Carbon nanofibre powders classified under heading 2803 pay 0% UK duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Employers must assess and prevent or adequately control workplace exposure risks. Specify fibre dimensions, catalyst residues and dispersion performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources carbon nanofibres.
Duty and waste controls
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, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table describes different powder specifications under that same line, subject to classification confirmation.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For a China-to-England shipment subject to notification controls, the exporter must seek consent through the dispatch country's competent authority. The importer needs the relevant waste licence, and the recovery facility needs a suitable permit or exemption. Have your customs broker confirm the applicable control before shipping waste or arranging a waste return.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual composition and supplied form, especially for dispersions, polymer blends or surface treatments. For related products within the heading, see our carbon nanotube powders guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon nanofibres, untreated powder | 2803 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify fibre morphology and dispersion
Specify carbon nanofibres explicitly rather than accepting a generic nanocarbon description. Agree fibre diameter and length distributions, morphology, carbon purity, residual catalyst metals, ash, moisture and surface treatment. State whether the powder is purified, graphitised or milled. Request microscopy images and batch analysis with the sampling and test methods.
For conductive fillers, agree a dispersion procedure and test electrical performance in your intended resin or electrode formulation. Record mixing conditions and the acceptance criteria. A powder conductivity result alone does not show how the material will perform after incorporation.
Before importing a substance new to your business, consider whether UK REACH registration is required. Importers must classify, label and package hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the market. Employers must assess exposure risks and prevent or adequately control them. Request a safety data sheet specific to the supplied material and plan controlled sampling before opening containers.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 kg of purified carbon nanofibre powder 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 container labels, batch references, microscopy images and analysis certificates to the agreed nanofibre specification.
Purity: check residual catalyst metals, ash and moisture against the contract using the agreed laboratory methods.
Performance: compare dispersion and electrical performance with the approved sample in the intended formulation.
Packaging: check seals, liners, net contents and evidence of leakage or moisture ingress; arrange sampling within the workplace exposure controls.
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What goes wrong
A generic nanocarbon description can conceal a different fibre morphology or a mixed material. Residual catalyst, inconsistent surface treatment and tightly bound agglomerates can change processing and electrical performance. Milling can also change the length distribution. Compare batch results with the approved sample rather than accepting an unchanged product name.
Damaged seals can release powder or admit moisture. Hold affected containers for assessment before sampling. Agree how the supplier will investigate mismatched batches, and retain traceable samples and photographs. A successful laboratory dispersion trial should be repeated under your production mixing conditions before committing to repeat supply.
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 nanofibres from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% under 2803 00 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the supplied material belongs in this line.
What should I specify when buying carbon nanofibres?
Specify fibre diameter and length distributions, morphology, purity, catalyst residues, moisture, surface treatment and dispersion performance in your intended formulation.
Do carbon nanofibres need UK REACH registration?
Consider whether registration is required before importing a substance new to your business. Confirm the position for the actual material and your import arrangements.
Can I open carbon nanofibre containers in my warehouse?
Assess the exposure risks first. Employers must prevent or adequately control those risks. Plan sampling and powder handling within the controls established for your workplace.