Sourcing CDU fertiliser from China

Candidate tariff line and Chinese-origin duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 3102 covers mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilisers. The candidate line for crotonylidene diurea fertiliser is 3102 90 00 90, covering other nitrogenous fertilisers and mixtures. The supplied tariff data does not name this product separately, so this is a classification starting point.

That line carries 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Only the relevant residual line is shown; other lines in the heading describe different fertilisers.

Give your broker the complete composition, nutrient analysis, intended use and pack size to confirm the commodity code. For related nitrogenous fertilisers, see the isobutylidene diurea guide.

Specify crotonylidene diurea and nitrogen forms

State whether you want crotonylidene diurea fertiliser or a formulation containing it. Require the supplier to identify every added fertiliser and report total nitrogen, nitrogen from crotonylidene diurea and nitrogen from other ingredients separately. Do not accept total nitrogen alone as proof that the ordered ingredient is present.

Agree moisture, particle size distribution, fines, granule strength and packing with the supplier. If buying on a claimed nutrient-release profile, agree the test method and conditions before comparing samples. Keep an approved sample and require batch analysis against the same specification.

For sale in Great Britain, confirm the applicable fertiliser framework and any fertiliser type and nutrient labelling requirements with the relevant authority rather than relying solely on the site's existing guides. Prepare the label from the agreed formulation and declarations. Check your UK REACH position before ordering; registration is per substance, per legal entity.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6 tonnes of crotonylidene diurea fertiliser in lined bags under 3102 90 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 6% is £690. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,190, so it is £2,438. Import taxes total £3,128; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £690 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare independently drawn shipment samples with the agreed ingredient identity and composition; reconcile the results with the supplier's batch analysis.

Nitrogen: check total nitrogen and the separately reported nitrogen forms against the contract and proposed label.

Physical condition: check moisture, particle size, fines and granule strength; on arrival, look for hard lumps, dust and signs of water ingress.

Packing: check liners, closures, bag weights and batch identification against the packing list. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A total-nitrogen result can conceal a formulation that differs from the order. Added soluble nitrogen may change the claimed release behaviour, while a report for a selected sample may not describe the shipment. Require ingredient-specific evidence and shipment sampling before accepting the batch.

Moisture ingress can leave bags caked, and weak granules can generate fines during handling. Inspect arrival condition before blending or repacking, retain samples and compare any disputed results using the agreed method. Resolve differences between analysis, labels and the contract before releasing stock.

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.