Sourcing Diethyl Sulphate from China
Diethyl sulphate from China has a listed UK duty of 6%. The residual line also has a named-substance suspension, which the supplied extract does not establish for diethyl sulphate. Confirm UK REACH coverage and competent hazard classification before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources diethyl sulphate.
Diethyl sulphate duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2920 covers esters of other inorganic acids of non-metals and their salts and derivatives. Diethyl sulphate falls within the residual sulphuric-ester line, 2920 90 10 90, carrying 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. A 0.00 % suspension exists for named substances, but its description is truncated. Budget for 6% unless your broker confirms eligibility from the complete measure.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste to this line. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance and any requirements for your import from China. Provide the substance identity, composition, intended use and whether the consignment contains waste.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual composition. See the wider carbonate and phosphite ester guide for neighbouring products and their separate tariff treatment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diethyl sulphate, within other sulphuric esters | 2920 90 10 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the diethyl sulphate batch
Specify diethyl sulphate explicitly, rather than accepting a quotation for an unspecified sulphate ester. Agree assay, analytical method, water content, acidity, colour, impurity profile and packaging materials. Request a certificate of analysis tied to the production batch, with actual results rather than a specification sheet alone.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE the UK REACH registration requirements for your annual imports and whether an only representative route applies. Confirm the route before ordering. Classification and labelling must be undertaken by someone with scientific competence. Obtain the English safety data sheet and agree how the receiving site will handle, sample and store the material.
Have the warehouse assess its chemical inventory against major-accident controls before accepting delivery. Establishments holding specified dangerous substances at or above qualifying quantities are subject to those regulations. Employers must also adequately control workplace exposure to materials that cause ill health.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of diethyl sulphate for a chemical processor under 2920 90 10 90, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,480. Duty at 6% is £268.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,748.80, so it is £949.76. Import taxes total £1,218.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £268.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, drum labels, safety data sheet and batch certificate to diethyl sulphate.
Analysis: arrange competent laboratory sampling and compare assay, moisture, acidity and impurities with the agreed limits.
Packaging: check closures, seals, container condition and evidence of leakage without opening containers during routine receipt.
Documents: check batch traceability, English safety data sheet, registration coverage and the receiving site's acceptance arrangements.
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What goes wrong
Orders can fail when a generic ester description hides the wrong substance, a certificate contains only specification limits, or the delivered batch differs from the tested sample. Moisture, acidity and unexplained colour differences should prompt investigation against the agreed specification before release.
Routine receipt becomes unsafe if staff open drums to identify the contents or take samples without an agreed procedure. HSE identifies both liquid and vapour forms of these dialkyl sulphates as harmful to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Arrange competent sampling and hold damaged or mismatched consignments pending assessment. Use the quality inspection guide to define the acceptance record.
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 diethyl sulphate from China?
The supplied tariff facts list 6% under 2920 90 10 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The named-substance suspension note is truncated; confirm eligibility before claiming it.
Does diethyl sulphate need UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE the substance registration requirements for your annual imports and whether coverage through an only representative applies. Confirm the route before ordering.
What should a diethyl sulphate certificate of analysis show?
Ask for the batch identity, actual assay, test method, moisture, acidity and agreed impurities. Match it to the delivered batch and arrange independent testing where needed.
Can warehouse staff open drums to check diethyl sulphate?
Arrange competent sampling under the site's agreed procedure. Liquid and vapour can harm skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Check labels, seals and container condition during routine receipt.