Sourcing cyanoacetic acid from China

Cyanoacetic acid duty: 0%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2926 covers nitrile-function compounds. Cyanoacetic acid, chemical identifier 372-09-8, is named under 2926 90 70 90. The supplied snapshot records 0% third-country duty and no anti-dumping or countervailing measure for that line. The related esters in the table help distinguish an acid order from an ester order.

The snapshot also lists an autonomous suspension at 0% naming cyanoacetic acid and excluding mixtures, plus an authorised-use suspension subject to customs supervision. It attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste. These are labelled export controls; the importer should confirm their relevance and any applicable requirement with their customs broker, particularly before returning or re-exporting material.

Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition and intended use. Do not classify a formulated mixture solely from its cyanoacetic acid content. For other products within this heading, see acetonitrile and nitriles.

Specify acid identity, assay and moisture

Write cyanoacetic acid and chemical identifier 372-09-8 into the purchase specification. State the intended synthesis or laboratory use, assay method, acceptable moisture, impurity profile, appearance and packaging. Request actual batch results rather than a generic specification sheet. Methyl and ethyl cyanoacetate are separate purchasing choices and should not be accepted against an acid order.

Agree how samples will be taken and which laboratory will resolve disputed results. Assess classification for every order size. Importers are responsible for chemical classification, and the supply chain must ensure correct labelling and packaging before market placement. Ask HSE to confirm UK REACH registration requirements for your annual imports and whether only-representative coverage is available; registration is per substance and legal entity.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of cyanoacetic acid in 25 kg bags under 2926 90 70 90, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,980. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,980, so it is £596. 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 acid name, chemical identifier and batch number across the order, packaging, analysis certificate and safety data sheet.

Analysis: check assay, moisture and agreed impurities on a representative delivered sample using the contracted methods.

Condition: check for caking, unexpected colour, contamination, damaged liners and broken seals; photograph discrepancies before opening further packs.

Documents: match batch results to the delivered lot and review the English safety data sheet, hazard labels and packaging before release.

What goes wrong

An ester can be quoted against an acid enquiry, or a generic certificate can conceal differences between the sample and delivered batch. Moisture, caking or an unexpected impurity can make material unsuitable for the buyer’s process even when the headline assay appears acceptable.

Keep affected packs separate while the supplier and laboratory investigate. Agree acceptance criteria before ordering and trial the delivered batch in your process before wider use. Use the inspection guide to define sampling, photographs and reporting.

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.