Sourcing chromates and permanganates from China
Salts of oxometallic acids from China, including dichromates and chromates, potassium permanganate, molybdates, ammonium paratungstate, vanadates and lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery cathode oxides, pay 4% UK duty under heading 2841, with suspensions on some lines. Several chromates are on the UK REACH authorisation list, and most of these salts are hazardous under GB CLP.
4% duty and suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, heading 2841 covers salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids, split across 24 lines. Every line carried 4% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Suspensions to 31 December 2028 reduce the duty on named high-purity grades, such as ammonium paratungstate and hexaammonium heptamolybdate, and on specified goods under two other lines. The tariff also attaches a waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration.
Sodium dichromate, potassium dichromate, ammonium dichromate, potassium chromate, sodium chromate, lead chromate, strontium chromate, dichromium tris(chromate) and pentazinc chromate octahydroxide are listed in Annex XIV of UK REACH. Their use in Great Britain after the sunset date needs an authorisation covering that use unless an exemption applies, so confirm that the customer's use is covered by an applicable authorisation or exemption before supplying them.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Suspension or relief | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium dichromate | 2841 30 00 00 | 4% | — | None |
| Potassium dichromate, 99% or more, for chromium production | 2841 50 00 11 | 4% | 2% suspension to 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Other potassium dichromate | 2841 50 00 13 | 4% | — | None |
| Lead chromate | 2841 50 00 20 | 4% | — | None |
| Dichromium tris(chromate) | 2841 50 00 30 | 4% | — | None |
| Ammonium dichromate | 2841 50 00 40 | 4% | — | None |
| Pentazinc chromate octahydroxide | 2841 50 00 50 | 4% | — | None |
| Potassium chromate | 2841 50 00 60 | 4% | — | None |
| Sodium chromate | 2841 50 00 80 | 4% | — | None |
| Strontium chromate | 2841 50 00 85 | 4% | — | None |
| Other chromates, dichromates and peroxochromates | 2841 50 00 90 | 4% | — | None |
| Potassium permanganate | 2841 61 00 00 | 4% | — | None |
| Other manganites, manganates and permanganates | 2841 69 00 00 | 4% | — | None |
| Hexaammonium heptamolybdate, 98% or more | 2841 70 00 50 | 4% | 0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Other molybdates | 2841 70 00 90 | 4% | 0% suspension for specified goods | None |
| Ammonium paratungstate | 2841 80 00 10 | 4% | 0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Disodium wolframate, 90% or more | 2841 80 00 20 | 4% | — | None |
| Other tungstates | 2841 80 00 90 | 4% | — | None |
| Potassium metavanadate | 2841 90 30 10 | 4% | 0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Other zincates and vanadates | 2841 90 30 90 | 4% | — | None |
| Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides | 2841 90 40 00 | 4% | — | None |
| Potassium titanium oxide powder, 99% or more | 2841 90 70 20 | 4% | 0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Tantalates | 2841 90 70 30 | 4% | — | None |
| Other salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids | 2841 90 70 90 | 4% | 2% suspension for specified goods | None |
Hazards and specification
Chromates and dichromates are carcinogenic under GB CLP, potassium permanganate is an oxidiser, and many of these salts are toxic to aquatic life, so they need GB labels, a GB-format safety data sheet, approved packaging and, for oxidisers, dangerous goods transport.
Specify the compound, purity, trace metal limits, particle size, moisture, and packing. For NMC cathode material, specify the nickel, manganese and cobalt ratio, particle size distribution, tap density, specific capacity and a cell test on a sample, and agree lot test reports.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5 tonnes of potassium permanganate under 2841 61 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,500. Duty at 4% is £540. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,040, so it is £2,808. Import taxes total £3,348; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £540 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: check purity and trace metals against the certificate.
Performance: test NMC in a coin cell before the bulk order.
Documents: check GB CLP labels, the safety data sheet and authorisation status for chromates. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Orders of these salts fail on grade and authorisation. Purity misses the suspension description so full duty applies, NMC batches differ in capacity from the sample, and chromates are supplied to a customer without the authorisation their use needs.
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 potassium permanganate from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, potassium permanganate under 2841 61 00 00 carried 4% from China.
Which code covers NMC cathode material?
Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides are 2841 90 40 00, at 4% from China.
Can I import sodium dichromate into the UK?
Import is possible, but it is on UK REACH Annex XIV, so its use in Great Britain after the sunset date needs an authorisation covering that use unless an exemption applies.
Is ammonium paratungstate suspended?
Yes. 2841 80 00 10 had a 0% suspension to 31 December 2028.