Sourcing cyclopentanone from China

Cyclopentanone duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2914 covers ketones and quinones and their specified derivatives. For separately defined cyclopentanone, check 2914 29 00 90, the residual line for cyclic ketones without other oxygen function. The other table rows identify related chemicals for comparison; they are not alternative codes for cyclopentanone.

The supplied line carries 4% duty for goods from China and shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Its 0% suspension is restricted to other named substances, so it does not cover cyclopentanone. The tariff also attaches an export control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply when the material is waste; if buying spent or contaminated solvent from China, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker before shipment.

Give your broker the chemical identity, composition, intended use and safety data sheet to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading and a different cyclic ketone, see cyclohexanone from China.

Specify cyclopentanone identity and batch quality

Name cyclopentanone explicitly on the purchase order and match the supplier's substance identifier across the quotation, analysis certificate and safety data sheet. Agree assay, water, colour, acidity, residue on evaporation and the impurity profile. State whether virgin or recovered material is acceptable, and agree the test methods and acceptance limits before approving a sample.

For Great Britain, classification and labelling must be carried out by someone with scientific competence. Review UK REACH duties against your annual substance volume; some provisions apply at one tonne per year or more. Hazardous chemicals supplied for use at work need a safety data sheet. Arrange a process trial using the proposed production grade before committing to the shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of cyclopentanone in drums under 2914 29 00 90, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £860 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,360. Duty at 4% is £174.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,534.40, so it is £906.88. Import taxes total £1,081.28; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £174.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match cyclopentanone on the order, drum labels and batch documents; investigate any reference to cyclopentanol or cyclohexanone.

Analysis: compare each batch certificate with the agreed assay, water and impurity limits; arrange independent testing where the result will determine acceptance.

Drums: check closures, seals, corrosion, leakage and net contents against the packing list; record damaged packages before moving them into stock.

Traceability: match drum identifiers to batch certificates, retain representative samples and check that the safety data sheet describes the supplied material.

What goes wrong

A similar chemical name can produce the wrong quotation, label or customs code. A satisfactory assay result can also hide water or impurities outside your process specification. Check identity and the full agreed analysis rather than accepting a purity statement alone.

Recovered material supplied against a virgin-material order, inconsistent batch certificates and leaking closures are reasons to investigate before release. Keep disputed drums separate, document the condition and compare samples with the agreed specification. Appearance alone cannot establish identity or purity.

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.