Sourcing Chloroxylenol from China
Chloroxylenol from China has a standard UK duty of 4%; the named-substance suspension on its residual line does not list chloroxylenol. For biocidal products, check the active substance's status for the intended product type and the applicable supply route. Cambridge China Bridge sources chloroxylenol.
Chloroxylenol duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 2908 covers halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols. For separately supplied chloroxylenol, check residual code 2908 19 00 90. The table shows different purchasing forms using the same candidate code, rather than separate tariff lines. This guide concerns the chemical raw material; have a formulated disinfectant classified separately.
The supplied tariff facts show 4% duty on goods from China and no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. The residual line has a 0% suspension restricted to named substances; chloroxylenol is not named. It also displays dangerous-chemical and waste export controls. These are labelled export controls; ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to your transaction rather than treating them as an import permission.
Send the composition, chemical identity and intended use to your broker to confirm the commodity code. Do not claim a pharmaceutical relief merely because the supplier calls the material pharmaceutical grade. For other substances under this heading, see the halogenated phenols guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroxylenol powder, supplied as a separate chemical | 2908 19 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify chloroxylenol identity, purity and use
Specify the full chemical identity, assay method, acceptable related impurities, moisture, colour, melting range and powder or crystal form. Agree packaging, sampling and a certificate of analysis tied to each production lot. Test a sample in your own formulation for dissolution and colour before approving the bulk specification.
For Great Britain, assess the UK REACH registration route, including annual imports and any exemption or only representative coverage. Confirm with HSE whether a safety data sheet is required and when it should be supplied or updated. Chemical classification must be handled by someone scientifically competent, and labels and packaging must be correct before market supply.
If the intended supply is a biocidal product, check the active substance status and regulatory process for the intended product type. Companies supplying biocidal products in Great Britain must be able to demonstrate an auditable supply trail from a GB Article 95 active substance supplier. Ask for the relevant supplier evidence before choosing the factory.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of chloroxylenol powder under 2908 19 00 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,980. Duty at 4% is £159.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,139.20, so it is £827.84. Import taxes total £987.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £159.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the order, container labels, analysis certificate and safety data sheet to the same chloroxylenol material and lot.
Laboratory: independently check assay, related impurities, moisture, melting range and colour against the agreed methods and limits.
Packaging: check seals, liners, batch markings, leakage, dampness and caking; confirm the chemical labels and packaging are suitable for GB supply.
Use trial: check dissolution and appearance in the buyer's formulation, using a representative batch sample. Agree the sampling plan through testing and certification.
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What goes wrong
An assay result alone can hide unsuitable related impurities, moisture or colour. A sample may dissolve acceptably while the delivered powder cakes or behaves differently in the formulation. Hold material that misses the agreed specification, preserve a sealed sample and compare the factory's test method with the independent laboratory's method.
A supplier's grade description can also be mistaken for evidence of tariff relief or permission to supply a disinfectant. Check the actual substance, intended product type and supply trail before ordering. Use the quality inspection guide to agree how batch discrepancies will be recorded.
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 chloroxylenol from China?
The supplied tariff facts show a standard 4% rate under candidate code 2908 19 00 90, with no trade remedy. Chloroxylenol is not named in that line's autonomous suspension.
Does pharmaceutical grade chloroxylenol automatically get duty relief?
No. A supplier's grade description does not establish eligibility. Ask your broker to check the exact substance against the pharmaceutical relief list described in the wider heading guide.
Can I sell imported chloroxylenol as a disinfectant?
Check the active substance status and regulatory process for your product type and market with HSE. For GB biocidal supply, obtain evidence of the applicable Article 95 supply trail before ordering.
What should I test before accepting a chloroxylenol batch?
Check identity, assay, related impurities, moisture, melting range and colour against the purchase specification. Also test dissolution and appearance in your formulation and inspect seals and caking.