Sourcing coal gas and water gas from China

Duty on coal gas and water gas

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2705 covers coal gas, water gas, producer gas and similar gases, excluding petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. The table separates descriptions within the same commodity line, rather than showing different tariff codes.

Commodity code 2705 00 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control. This tariff position does not remove chemical supply or dangerous goods transport responsibilities.

Ask the supplier for the gas composition and production description, then confirm the commodity code. Do not classify a gas solely from its commercial name.

Specify the gas mixture and delivery system

Specify coal gas, water gas or producer gas by composition rather than name alone. Agree hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrocarbon content, moisture, sulphur compounds and particulate contamination. For fuel use, agree calorific value and the measurement basis. Request a batch certificate of analysis and agreed sampling methods.

Agree cylinder or cylinder-bundle supply, filling pressure, gas quantity and its measurement conditions, valve connection and regulator compatibility. Ask for cylinder identification, inspection records and a safety data sheet. Have a specialist carrier review the proposed shipment before ordering: dangerous goods must be packed and transported according to international regulations.

The supply chain is responsible for correct labelling and packaging before goods reach the market. If importing a substance for the first time, consider whether UK REACH registration is required. These checks concern Great Britain; obtain separate advice for Northern Ireland. Use testing and certification support to define the checks for the actual mixture.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of water gas in cylinders for a business process trial under 2705 00 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £28,000, so it is £5,600. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition: match the batch analysis to the agreed gas mixture, moisture and contaminant limits; arrange specialist sampling where independent verification is needed.

Quantity: reconcile cylinder identifiers, filling records and declared gas quantity using the agreed pressure, temperature and measurement basis.

Cylinders: check for corrosion, dents, damaged valves, missing protection and mismatched connections; refer suspect cylinders to a competent gas specialist.

Documents: match the batch, cylinder identification, safety data sheet, labels and transport description. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A commercial gas name can conceal a different composition. Excess moisture or contamination can disrupt the buyer's process, while a quantity stated without measurement conditions makes deliveries difficult to compare. Agree acceptance criteria before filling and compare the delivered batch with its analysis.

An incompatible valve or regulator can prevent connection, and damaged cylinders can interrupt acceptance. A small shipment is not automatically a small hazard: HSE warns that a single cylinder of compressed or liquefied toxic gas can seriously endanger personnel. Arrange specialist receiving and handling before dispatch.

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.