Sourcing chlorates and perchlorates from China
Chlorates, perchlorates, bromates and iodates from China pay 4% UK duty, except potassium and sodium bromates at 0%, with no anti-dumping duty. Sodium and potassium chlorate and perchlorate above 40% by weight are regulated explosives precursors under the Poisons Act 1972, so a member of the public needs a licence, and they are strong oxidisers under GB CLP.
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4% duty, bromates 0%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, heading 2829 covers chlorates and perchlorates, bromates and perbromates, iodates and periodates, split into five lines. Sodium chlorate, other chlorates, perchlorates and the other line carried 4% on goods from China; bromates of potassium or sodium carried 0%. There is no anti-dumping measure. The tariff also attaches a waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration.
Potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, sodium chlorate or sodium perchlorate above 40% by weight is a regulated explosives precursor under Part 1 of Schedule 1A to the Poisons Act 1972: a member of the general public needs a licence to import, acquire, possess or use it, and suppliers must report suspicious transactions. Check whether each customer is a business or a member of the public before supplying.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium chlorate | 2829 11 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other chlorates | 2829 19 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Perchlorates | 2829 90 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Bromates of potassium or of sodium | 2829 90 40 00 | 0% | None |
| Other bromates, perbromates, iodates and periodates | 2829 90 80 00 | 4% | None |
Hazards and specification
Chlorates and perchlorates are strong oxidisers that can form explosive mixtures with fuels, so they need GB CLP labels, a GB-format safety data sheet, approved packaging, dangerous goods transport and storage away from combustible material. Sodium chlorate is used mainly to make chlorine dioxide for pulp bleaching; potassium iodate is used for salt iodisation and needs a food-grade supply for that use.
Specify the compound, purity, moisture, chloride and heavy metal limits, particle size, and packing in lined drums or bags suitable for oxidisers. Ask for a certificate of analysis per lot.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of sodium chlorate under 2829 11 00 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 4% is £680. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,680, so it is £3,536. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £680 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: check purity and moisture against the certificate.
Packing: check UN-marked packaging, liners and seals.
Documents: check GB CLP labels, the safety data sheet and customer status. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Chlorate orders fail on packing, storage and customer checks. Packaging is not approved for oxidisers, product is stored near combustibles, and product above 40% is supplied to a member of the public without a licence check.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on sodium chlorate from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, sodium chlorate under 2829 11 00 00 carried 4% from China.
Is potassium chlorate a regulated explosives precursor?
Yes, above 40% by weight, as are sodium chlorate and sodium and potassium perchlorate.
Which line is at 0%?
Bromates of potassium or sodium, 2829 90 40 00.
Do chlorates ship as dangerous goods?
Yes. They are oxidisers and ship in approved packaging, declared for transport.