Sourcing dicalcium phosphate from China

Dicalcium phosphate duty: 4%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, dicalcium phosphate, described as calcium hydrogenorthophosphate, falls under 2835 25 00 00 within heading 2835. The supplied record shows 4% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no tariff suspension. The table repeats this single commodity line for different purchasing uses; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.

The tariff attaches veterinary control and import and export waste controls. For animal-derived material, confirm the Chinese origin and establishment are eligible with APHA before ordering. Animal-origin products from China for food or feed are prohibited unless covered by the official safeguard exceptions. For waste imported into England under notification controls, the Chinese exporter must seek consent through the dispatch authority; shipment requires consent from the Environment Agency and other authorities involved.

For mineral-derived goods, ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached veterinary control is addressed and whether waste controls apply. Confirm the commodity code using the composition, origin and grade. See the wider phosphate guide for other products in this heading.

Specify origin, grade and impurity tests

State whether the material is mineral-derived or animal-derived, its hydration form and whether it is intended for food, feed or technical use. Agree calcium and phosphorus content, assay, moisture, particle size and the test methods. Put acceptance limits for fluoride, arsenic and lead into the purchase specification rather than accepting an unspecified factory grade.

For food-grade calcium phosphates, confirm applicable additive purity criteria, including impurity limits, with the relevant food authority. For feed-grade dicalcium phosphate, confirm applicable undesirable-substance limits with the relevant feed authority. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and arrange independent testing against the intended use. Agree lined bags, batch identification and dry-container loading.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 tonnes of mineral-derived dicalcium phosphate for a feed distributor under 2835 25 00 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £43,000. Duty at 4% is £1,720. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £44,720, so it is £8,944. Import taxes total £10,664; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,720 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare the declared source, hydration form and grade with the purchase specification and batch certificate.

Analysis: take representative samples for calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, arsenic, lead and moisture checks against the agreed limits.

Packing: inspect bag seals, liners, net weights, damp patches and caking before accepting the delivery.

Traceability: match bag batch numbers to certificates and shipping documents. Record sampling and defects through your inspection process.

What goes wrong

Technical material is offered against a food or feed specification, impurity results are missing, or the certificate describes a different batch. Moisture causes caking, and inconsistent particle size affects handling and blending. Hold affected stock apart while the supplier and laboratory resolve the mismatch.

An animal-derived product can also be ordered without resolving import eligibility. APHA requires an approved exporting establishment for the animal-derived material covered by its guidance. Confirm the origin, plant and applicable veterinary documents before dispatch; a certificate of analysis does not establish import eligibility.

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.