Sourcing coal-tar binder pitch from China
Coal-tar binder pitch from China carries 0% UK duty on the relevant pitch lines. Check UK REACH registration and the authorisation position for the intended use before ordering. Specify softening point, coking value and insoluble matter. Cambridge China Bridge sources coal-tar binder pitch.
Duty on coal-tar binder pitch
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2708 covers pitch and pitch coke obtained from coal tar or other mineral tars. This guide concerns coal-tar pitch bought as a binder. High-temperature coal-tar pitch identified as CAS RN 65996-93-2 has its own commodity line.
The relevant pitch lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, no suspension and no attached import control. These tariff records do not settle the chemical registration or authorisation position for a particular substance and use.
Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity and composition. The table contains only the relevant pitch lines available in the supplied records. See pitch and pitch coke for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-temperature coal-tar pitch | 2708 10 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other pitch, where the binder's identity fits this line | 2708 10 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the binder against your carbon process
State whether the pitch is for anodes, electrodes or another carbon product, and whether you need solid material or heated delivery. Agree softening point and its test method, coking value, quinoline-insoluble and toluene-insoluble matter, ash, moisture and particle size. Set acceptance limits against your process rather than ordering by the description “binder pitch” alone.
Request a batch certificate of analysis and a retained production sample. Compare wetting, mixing behaviour and baked performance with your approved material. Agree packaging, storage conditions and handling arrangements before shipment.
Resolve UK REACH registration per substance and per legal entity. Ask HSE to confirm the authorisation position for the exact pitch and intended use; where the substance is on the Authorisation List, check whether that use is exempt. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require a safety data sheet. Check classification, hazard labels and packaging before placing the pitch on the Great Britain market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 tonnes of solid coal-tar binder pitch under 2708 10 00 10, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,800, so it is £1,160. 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
Identity: match the supplier, substance identity, batch markings, certificate of analysis and safety data sheet.
Binder properties: independently check softening point, coking value and insoluble matter using the agreed methods.
Arrival condition: check moisture, contamination, particle breakdown, fused lumps and damaged or leaking packaging.
Process trial: compare mixing and baked performance with the approved sample before releasing the batch. See quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A matching softening point can conceal a different insoluble-matter profile or coking value. Changing pitch feedstock or processing can alter binder behaviour, so require written approval before substitution and compare production samples with the approved batch.
Moisture, contamination and fused lumps can disrupt feeding and mixing. Separate arrival inspection from process acceptance, and resolve missing chemical documentation before committing to an order.
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 coal-tar binder pitch from China?
The supplied tariff records show 0% duty on 2708 10 00 10 and 2708 10 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed.
Which commodity code covers high-temperature coal-tar pitch?
The supplied records identify 2708 10 00 10 for high-temperature coal-tar pitch with CAS RN 65996-93-2. Match the substance identity before using that code.
What should I specify for coal-tar binder pitch?
Specify softening point and test method, coking value, quinoline-insoluble and toluene-insoluble matter, ash, moisture, particle size and the intended carbon process.
Does zero duty mean the pitch is cleared for use?
Check UK REACH registration and ask HSE to confirm the authorisation position for the substance and intended use. Also check the safety data sheet, classification, labels and packaging.