Sourcing chlorinated solvents and HFCs from China
Halogenated derivatives of hydrocarbons from China, including dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene and HFCs, pay 4% UK duty, with dichloromethane and tetrachloroethylene suspended to 0% until 31 December 2026, HFC-32, HFC-125 and HFO-1234yf to 2028, and no anti-dumping duty. Bulk HFC imports need GB F-gas quota, and dichloromethane paint strippers are restricted.
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Mostly 4%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, chlorinated derivatives such as dichloromethane, chloroform, ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride and tetrachloroethylene, and fluorinated derivatives such as HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-125 and HFC-134a, carried 4% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Dichloromethane had an autonomous suspension to 0% until 31 December 2026, and HFC lines carry an import control for fluorinated greenhouse gases. Re-checked on 27 September 2026 across all 118 leaves: tetrachloroethylene (2903 23 00 00) and chlorodifluoromethane, HCFC-22 (2903 71 00 00), are also suspended to 0% until 31 December 2026, and the whole lines for difluoromethane, HFC-32 (2903 42 00 00), pentafluoroethane, HFC-125 (2903 44 00 10), HFC-134 (2903 45 00 20), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, HFO-1234yf (2903 51 00 10), and trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, HFO-1234ze (2903 51 00 20), are suspended to 0% until 31 December 2028, with many other named lines. Dibromomethane (2903 69 11 00) carries 0%.
Refrigerant blends are classified as mixtures in heading 3827, and ozone-depleting substances such as carbon tetrachloride are banned except for narrow uses; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloromethane | 2903 12 00 00 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2026 | None |
| Chloroform | 2903 13 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Ethylene dichloride | 2903 15 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Vinyl chloride | 2903 21 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 2903 23 00 00 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2026 | None |
| Difluoromethane (HFC-32) | 2903 42 00 00 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) | 2903 44 00 10 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| HFC-134a | 2903 45 00 10 | 4% | None |
| HFO-1234yf | 2903 51 00 10 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| HFO-1234ze (trans) | 2903 51 00 20 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) | 2903 71 00 00 | 4%; suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2026 | None |
F-gas quota and REACH limits
GOV.UK guidance says you must get quota to produce or import bulk HFCs into Great Britain, measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and that Great Britain is phasing HFCs down by 79% by 2030 from the 2009 to 2012 baseline. New entrants planning to produce or import 100 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more a year must register for an F gas account and obtain quota before placing the gas on the market, so a bulk importer without quota needs an allocation or a permitted quota transfer from a quota holder.
Entry 59 of Annex XVII to UK REACH restricts paint strippers containing 0.1% or more dichloromethane, with only narrow professional derogations, and chlorinated solvents are hazardous under GB CLP, so safety data sheets, drum labels and dangerous goods paperwork must be right.
Worked duty example
Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 20 tonnes of tetrachloroethylene under 2903 23 00 00. At £21,000 free on board and £3,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £24,500. Tetrachloroethylene at 4% pay £980 of duty; VAT is then worked out on value plus duty, £25,480, giving £5,096. Of the £6,076 paid at import, only the £980 of duty stays a cost for a VAT-registered business. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.
What goes wrong
Halogenated solvents and gases fail on purity, stabilisers and legality. Chlorinated solvents without the right stabiliser decompose and turn acidic, attacking metal and drums, and recycled material is supplied against virgin grade. Refrigerant arrives in non-refillable cylinders, which are banned for F-gases used to service refrigeration and air conditioning, or as mislabelled blends, and bulk HFCs imported without quota can be seized and penalised.
Ask for a certificate of analysis per batch including stabiliser and acidity, specify virgin grade, check cylinder type, valves and labelling for gases, confirm your quota or authorisation before shipping HFCs, and check that safety data sheets and UN numbers match the product.
Cambridge China Bridge sources chlorinated solvents and fluorinated gases, with purity, stabilisers, cylinders and quota or authorisation checked before shipment. Read how we source regulated chemicals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on dichloromethane from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, dichloromethane carried 4% but had a 0% suspension until 31 December 2026.
Do I need quota to import HFCs?
Yes for bulk HFCs placed on the GB market above the thresholds; without quota you need an allocation or a permitted quota transfer from a quota holder.
Are dichloromethane paint strippers allowed?
Not for general sale. UK REACH entry 59 restricts paint strippers with 0.1% or more dichloromethane.
Where do refrigerant blends go?
Refrigerant blends are classified as mixtures in heading 3827, not 2903.