Sourcing ceresin wax from China
Ceresin wax within heading 2712 carries 0% UK duty from China across the relevant mineral-wax lines. Confirm composition and processing before choosing the code, and check UK REACH registration before importing a new substance. Cambridge China Bridge sources ceresin wax.
Zero duty on the relevant mineral-wax lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2712 covers petroleum jelly, paraffin, microcrystalline petroleum wax, natural mineral waxes and similar products. The table identifies mineral-wax lines to check for ceresin and its feedstock. It does not mean that finished ceresin can be declared under a crude-wax code. See the wider ozokerite wax guide.
The listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Elsewhere in the heading, paraffin and slack wax have zero-rate suspensions; those entries do not establish a suspension for ceresin.
Ask the producer for composition, wax origin, refining process and any added ingredients, then confirm the commodity code with your customs broker. Prepared waxes and wax blends with additives fall under heading 3404 in the site's published guidance. The supplier's trade name alone is insufficient for a classification decision.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude natural ozokerite feedstock | 2712 90 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Natural ozokerite, other than crude | 2712 90 19 00 | 0% | None |
| Other crude mineral wax, for other purposes | 2712 90 39 90 | 0% | None |
| Other non-crude mineral wax, subject to composition | 2712 90 99 90 | 0% | None |
Specify ceresin composition and melt behaviour
State whether you want ceresin produced from natural ozokerite or another mineral-wax formulation sold under that name. Ask the factory to disclose added paraffin, microcrystalline wax and other ingredients. Agree melting or congealing behaviour, needle penetration, oil content, colour and odour, using named test methods and an approved sample.
Specify slabs or pellets, packing material and batch identification. Trial the sample in your actual balm, polish or coating formulation, checking hardness, oil separation and appearance after cooling. For cosmetic use, ask for the refining history and impurity analysis as purchasing evidence rather than accepting a cosmetic-grade description.
Before importing a substance you have not previously imported, consider whether UK REACH registration is required. Confirm the applicable registration threshold and your registration position with HSE for your planned annual imports. Assess hazard classification; substances and mixtures must be correctly labelled and packaged before supply in Great Britain. A hazardous chemical supplied for workplace use needs a safety data sheet.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of bagged ceresin slabs, assuming this classification is confirmed under 2712 90 99 90, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,800, so it is £5,160. 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 composition statement, batch labels and certificate of analysis to the approved ceresin sample.
Performance: test melting or congealing behaviour, penetration and oil content against the agreed specification; compare colour and odour.
Cleanliness: inspect slabs or pellets for grit, fibres and surface contamination, and examine a melted sample for sediment.
Arrival: check bag seals, damage and batch identification before releasing stock; retain a sample from each lot for comparison.
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What goes wrong
A supplier substitutes a wax blend while retaining the ceresin trade name. The delivered material then behaves differently in the buyer's formulation. Excess oil causes separation, inconsistent hardness changes the finished texture, and residual odour or colour becomes apparent after melting.
A certificate can match the requested grade while the shipment contains mixed batches or contaminated slabs. Compare retained samples and test the actual production lot before loading. Use the quality inspection guide to define the sampling and release checks.
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 ceresin wax from China?
The relevant mineral-wax lines in heading 2712 carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record. Composition and processing determine the correct line.
Which commodity code should I use for ceresin wax?
Confirm it from composition, origin, processing and additives. The table includes feedstock lines as well as other mineral waxes; do not use a crude-wax code for finished ceresin without checking.
Does ceresin wax need UK REACH registration?
Check whether registration is required before importing a new substance. Confirm the applicable threshold and registration position with HSE for your planned annual imports rather than relying on the supplier's grade description.
What should I test before ordering ceresin wax?
Agree melting or congealing behaviour, penetration, oil content, colour and odour. Trial the sample in your formulation and check the production lot against it.