Sourcing diethylamine from China

4% duty on diethylamine and its salts

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, diethylamine and its salts fall under 2921 19 50 00 within heading 2921, amine-function compounds. Goods from China carry 4% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. The table describes purchasing forms sharing this commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export waste control. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For material offered as waste or for recovery, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements before shipment from China.

Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity, salt form and composition. Do not apply a neighbouring chemical's suspension to diethylamine. See the triethylamine guide for related coverage within this heading.

Specify diethylamine identity and assay

State whether you need diethylamine itself or a named salt. Specify the intended process, assay acceptance criteria, water content, colour and unwanted amine impurities. Agree the analytical method and whether the reported assay is on an as-supplied or dry basis. Request a certificate of analysis linked to the actual production batch.

For Great Britain, confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE for your planned annual imports of the substance. Before placing imported chemicals on the market, address classification, labelling and packaging. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet; obtain the English version before agreeing handling and storage arrangements.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: One tonne of diethylamine; illustrative order and values under 2921 19 50 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,980. Duty at 4% is £199.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,179.20, so it is £1,035.84. Import taxes total £1,235.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £199.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the ordered substance or salt to the container labels, invoice, safety data sheet and batch certificate.

Analysis: compare assay, water content, colour and agreed impurities with the purchase specification; arrange independent testing where the process needs it.

Packaging: check closures, seals, container condition and signs of leakage without opening suspect containers for inspection.

Documents: reconcile batch references and quantities, check labels against the agreed chemical classification, and review transport arrangements with the carrier before dispatch.

What goes wrong

A quotation saying only diethylamine can leave the substance form and assay basis unclear. A salt, diluted product or material with excessive water may fail the intended process even when the supplier's certificate appears acceptable. Tie acceptance to the agreed composition and test method.

Unmatched batch documents and leaking closures undermine arrival checks. Hold affected stock for investigation and agreed corrective action. A neighbouring tariff suspension is another avoidable error: the diethylamine line in the supplied record has no suspension.

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.