Sourcing dibutyl carbonate from China
Budget 6% UK duty for dibutyl carbonate from China; heading 2920 ranges from 0% to 6% where suspensions apply. Confirm the substance identity, commodity code and UK REACH route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources dibutyl carbonate.
Dibutyl carbonate: budget for 6% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2920 covers esters of other inorganic acids of non-metals and their salts, including carbonic esters. The residual line 2920 90 10 90 is the candidate for dibutyl carbonate. The table includes comparison substances to help distinguish similar names; their tariff treatment cannot establish the duty on dibutyl carbonate.
The candidate line carries 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. It also has a 0.00 % suspension restricted to named substances. The supplied suspension footnote ends mid-name and does not establish eligibility for dibutyl carbonate. Budget for 6% and ask your broker to check the complete measure before claiming relief. Confirm the commodity code; see the wider heading guide for comparison.
The supplied tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to your China-to-UK shipment. HSE states that there are no prior informed consent notification obligations for imports. Waste shipment controls apply when the material is waste; the cited guidance covers England. Confirm the requirements before buying material offered as recovered solvent.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other carbonic esters: candidate line for dibutyl carbonate | 2920 90 10 90 | 6% | None |
| Dimethyl carbonate: comparison substance, not dibutyl carbonate | 2920 90 10 40 | 6% | None |
| Diethyl carbonate of 99.9% purity or more: comparison substance | 2920 90 10 85 | 6% | None |
| Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate: comparison substance, not dibutyl carbonate | 2920 90 10 50 | 6% | None |
Specify dibutyl carbonate identity and impurities
Write the full substance identity and chemical registry identifier into the purchase specification. Ask the producer to confirm the butyl groups and composition rather than accepting a catalogue name alone. Specify assay by gas chromatography, water content, acidity, colour and residual alcohol, with agreed methods and acceptance limits. Request a batch certificate of analysis and a retained sample.
Agree whether recovered material is acceptable, the intended process, container material, closures and sampling arrangements. For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration route for annual imports of one tonne or more, including whether coverage is through the importer or an only representative. Where a safety data sheet is required, confirm its delivery timing with HSE. Chemicals supplied to the market must be labelled and packaged correctly.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 15 tonnes of dibutyl carbonate; illustrative whole-pound values under 2920 90 10 90, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,500. Duty at 6% is £1,410. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,910, so it is £4,982. Import taxes total £6,392; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,410 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the order, drum labels, safety data sheet and batch certificate to dibutyl carbonate; investigate any different substance name.
Analysis: independently check assay, water, acidity and residual alcohol against the agreed specification, using a representative sample.
Packaging: inspect closures, seals, leakage and contamination around openings; compare container materials with the agreed packing specification.
Traceability: match batch references and delivered quantities to the packing list, and retain arrival samples. Use the inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
A short product name can conceal a different carbonate or a blend. A generic analysis certificate can also hide the composition of the delivered batch. Keep the approved identity, analytical methods and acceptance limits attached to the order, and hold disputed batches pending independent testing.
Poor closures can allow contamination, while a certificate that reports only assay leaves moisture and residual alcohol unchecked. Another purchasing error is copying the suspension for a different carbonate. Settle the batch specification, registration route and tariff treatment before shipment.
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 dibutyl carbonate from China?
Budget 6% under candidate code 2920 90 10 90. No trade remedy is recorded. Its named-substance suspension footnote is incomplete, so the supplied data does not establish relief for dibutyl carbonate.
Does dibutyl carbonate get the dimethyl carbonate suspension?
Do not apply another substance's suspension. Dibutyl carbonate is not dimethyl carbonate. Ask your broker to check the complete suspension wording against the exact substance identity.
Do I need UK REACH registration for dibutyl carbonate?
For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the registration route for annual imports of one tonne or more of the substance, including whether coverage is through the importer or an only representative. Confirm coverage before ordering.
What should I test when dibutyl carbonate arrives?
Check identity, assay, water, acidity and residual alcohol against your agreed specification. Match the sample and certificate to the delivered batch, and inspect drum seals and leakage.