Sourcing chromium carbide powder from China

Chromium carbide powder: 4% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2849 covers carbides, whether or not chemically defined. Chromium carbide powder falls within 2849 90 50 90, which also covers other named carbides. Goods from China carry 4% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. The table shows the relevant commodity line.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For imports into England under notification controls, the exporter in China must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent; shipment can start after the Environment Agency and other authorities involved consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for recovered or spent powder, and before returning waste to China.

Confirm the commodity code against the composition supplied, particularly if nickel or another binder is added. For the wider heading, see the titanium carbide powder guide.

Specify carbide phase, carbon and particle size

Name the chromium carbide phase required and whether the order is unblended powder or a formulated coating feedstock. Specify chromium content, total and free carbon, oxygen, iron and other agreed impurities. State the particle size distribution, test method, morphology and acceptable agglomeration. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and a retained sample, then trial the powder in your coating or sintering process.

For Great Britain, annual imports of one tonne or more of a substance generally require UK REACH registration; a supplier-appointed only representative can take on importer duties. Confirm coverage before ordering. Importers must classify, label and package hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the market. Request an English safety data sheet for the actual powder and any additives.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 25 kg of chromium carbide powder; illustrative order and values under 2849 90 50 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,800. Duty at 4% is £112. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,912, so it is £582.40. Import taxes total £694.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £112 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: check the agreed carbide phase by diffraction analysis and compare chromium, total carbon, free carbon and impurities with the batch certificate.

Particle size: sample across containers and test the agreed distribution using the contracted method; check coarse particles, excessive fines and agglomerates.

Packing: check sealed inner liners, dry powder, container damage, net weight and batch identification; investigate caking or evidence of leakage.

Documents: match the certificate, safety data sheet, labels and purchase specification to the delivered batch. Arrange independent sampling through the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A description such as chromium carbide powder can conceal a different carbide phase, excess free carbon or an unrequested binder. A matching average particle size can also hide coarse particles or too many fines. These are reasons to agree phase identification and the full size distribution rather than approve a lot from its product name alone.

Moisture, caking and contamination during packing can make a powder behave differently from the approved sample. Keep a retained sample and compare the delivered batch before releasing it into production. Treat a nickel-containing blend as a separate specification and confirm its commodity code and chemical documentation.

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.