Sourcing cetearyl alcohol from China
Cetearyl alcohol from China under the industrial fatty alcohol lines carries 0% UK duty, with no listed trade remedy. Before importing into Great Britain, establish its substance identity and UK REACH position, and assess its chemical classification regardless of quantity. Cambridge China Bridge sources cetearyl alcohol.
Cetearyl alcohol duty: 0%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 3823 covers industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining and industrial fatty alcohols. This guide focuses on cetearyl alcohol. The table repeats the non-feed industrial fatty alcohol code for different physical forms; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.
The industrial fatty alcohol lines 3823 70 00 90 and 3823 70 00 10 both carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either line. The animal-feed line is included for comparison, not as a suggested classification for cosmetic raw material.
Confirm the commodity code against composition and intended use before ordering. Give your broker the substance identity, composition report and product description. See the cetyl alcohol guide for related sourcing within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cetearyl alcohol flakes, other than animal-feed material | 3823 70 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Industrial fatty alcohols of a kind used for animal feed | 3823 70 00 10 | 0% | None |
Specify the cetyl and stearyl composition
Specify the cetyl and stearyl alcohol proportions, total fatty alcohol content, other alcohols, melting range, moisture, acid value, colour and odour. Agree test methods and acceptance limits rather than accepting only the description 'cosmetic grade'. State whether you need flakes, pellets or granules, and disclose your intended formulation to the supplier.
Before a first import into Great Britain, establish the substance identity and confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration is required for your import. Registration applies to substances on their own and substances in mixtures. Chemical classification must be assessed regardless of quantity. Ask for the supplier's safety data sheet and classification information.
Approve a retained sample and trial the material in your own cream or conditioner formulation. Compare melting behaviour, texture and stability with your existing ingredient. Agree sealed inner packaging, batch identification, storage instructions and a batch-specific certificate of analysis.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 600 bags of cetearyl alcohol flakes under 3823 70 00 90, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,000, so it is £6,600. 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
Composition: compare the batch chromatography report with the agreed cetyl and stearyl proportions and total alcohol specification.
Physical condition: check colour, odour, melting behaviour, clumping and foreign matter against the approved sample.
Packaging: inspect seals and liners for damage or moisture ingress, and reconcile batch identities with the delivery documents.
Performance: trial a representative arrival sample in your formulation and retain a sample for investigation. Plan sampling through our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A shipment can match the product name yet miss the agreed composition. A changed cetyl and stearyl balance can alter texture and melting behaviour; moisture, odour or contamination can make a batch unsuitable for your formulation. A generic certificate gives little assurance about the delivered lot.
Do not approve a substitute solely because its label says cetearyl alcohol. Compare batch results with the agreed specification, investigate damaged packaging and hold disputed material separately until you have assessed it.
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 cetearyl alcohol from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for industrial fatty alcohols under 3823 70 00 90, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that this code fits your material.
Do I need UK REACH registration for cetearyl alcohol?
Establish the substance identity and your registration position before importing. Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration is required for your import; do not rely on the product name alone.
What should a cetearyl alcohol specification include?
Agree cetyl and stearyl proportions, total alcohol content, melting range, moisture, acid value, colour, odour and physical form, with test methods and acceptance limits.
How do I check an arriving batch?
Match its batch identity and analysis to your specification, inspect packaging and appearance, and trial an arrival sample in your formulation before releasing it for production.