Sourcing copper oxide powder from China
Copper oxide powder from China carries 0% to 2% UK duty, depending on the grade and eligibility for a suspension. For Great Britain, settle UK REACH coverage and chemical classification, labelling and packaging before importing. Cambridge China Bridge sources copper oxide powder.
Copper oxide duty and suspension checks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2825 covers other metal oxides alongside inorganic bases, hydroxides and peroxides. Its copper branch covers copper oxides and hydroxides. This guide covers oxide powder; see the wider heading guide for other substances. The table separates cuprous and cupric grades that share a commodity code.
The ordinary China duty is 2%. A 0% suspension is listed for copper oxide containing at least 78% copper and at most 0,03% chloride by weight, and for cupric oxide with particle size not more than 100 nm. The suspensions exclude mixtures and preparations. Other copper oxide powder pays 2%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for these lines.
The tariff attaches waste import and export controls. For Chinese material subject to waste notification controls entering England, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Confirm the applicable waste requirement with your customs broker before shipment, including any later waste export. Confirm the commodity code using the composition, copper and chloride results, particle-size evidence and product or waste status.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuprous oxide meeting the copper-content and chloride specification | 2825 50 00 20 | 2% | None |
| Cupric oxide powder with particle size not more than 100 nm | 2825 50 00 30 | 2% | None |
| Other copper oxide powder | 2825 50 00 80 | 2% | None |
Specify the oxide, copper assay and particle size
State whether you need cuprous oxide or cupric oxide. Agree copper content, oxide assay, chloride, iron and other impurity limits, moisture, particle-size distribution and the test methods. Copper content and oxide purity are different measurements: ask the factory to report both clearly. For nanoparticle grades, agree how particle size and agglomeration will be measured.
Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and an English safety data sheet. For Great Britain, confirm the applicable UK REACH registration requirements and any only-representative coverage with HSE before ordering. Arrange a competent review of chemical classification and ensure correct labelling and packaging before placing the material on the market. Resolve the registration route and label wording before dispatch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative laboratory trial order of 25 kg of copper oxide powder under 2825 50 00 80, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,300. Duty at 2% is £46. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,346, so it is £469.20. Import taxes total £515.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £46 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: check that the purchase order, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and bag labels identify the same oxide and batch.
Assay: have an independent laboratory check copper content, oxide assay and agreed impurities, particularly chloride where suspension eligibility depends on it.
Particles: compare the measured distribution with the contract and check for hard agglomerates; a fine-powder description alone does not establish the nanoparticle specification.
Packing: check sealed liners, moisture damage, powder leakage, net weight and batch marking. Check hazard labels against the safety data sheet and the agreed GB label.
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What goes wrong
Orders can fail when cuprous and cupric oxide are confused, copper assay is presented as oxide purity, chloride exceeds the agreed specification, or a particle-size report measures something different from the contract. Damp powder and hard agglomerates can also change how the material disperses in the buyer's process.
Approve a representative sample, retain a sealed reference sample and agree the sampling and laboratory methods before production. Hold a disputed batch pending comparison with the agreed specification. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks before dispatch and on arrival.
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 copper oxide powder from China?
The ordinary duty is 2%. The listed copper-content and nanoparticle grades have 0% suspensions when eligible. Other copper oxide powder pays 2%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed in the supplied record.
Does every copper oxide powder qualify for duty-free import?
No. Match the copper and chloride specification or the listed nanoparticle specification, and check suspension eligibility. The listed suspensions exclude mixtures and preparations.
Do I need UK REACH registration for copper oxide powder?
For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm whether your imports require UK REACH registration and whether coverage through an only representative is applicable. Confirm the route for the actual oxide before ordering.
What should I test in a copper oxide shipment?
Check oxide identity, copper content, oxide assay, chloride, agreed impurities, moisture and particle-size distribution. Match the results to the batch certificate and inspect liners for leaks and moisture damage.