Sourcing Dimethyl Sulphate from China
Dimethyl sulphate from China has a 6% base UK duty, suspended to 0% for the listed substance with purity of at least 99%. The suspension excludes mixtures. UK REACH registration must be addressed, and this carcinogenic, acutely toxic chemical needs specialist handling. Cambridge China Bridge sources dimethyl sulphate.
Dimethyl sulphate duty and purity
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2920 covers esters of other inorganic acids of non-metals and their salts. Dimethyl sulphate with purity of at least 99% falls under 2920 90 10 75. Its base duty for goods from China is 6%, with an autonomous suspension to 0.00 %. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for this line. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing different components.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches controls labelled “Export control on dangerous chemicals” and “Export control - Waste” to the relevant lines. These labels concern exports. For an import from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether any associated requirement applies to the actual consignment, particularly if the material is recovered or described as waste.
For lower-purity material, ask your broker whether the residual line 2920 90 10 90 applies. It carries 6% duty; its named-substance suspension does not name dimethyl sulphate. Confirm the commodity code using substance identity, purity and composition. Only these relevant lines are shown. See the wider heading guide for other esters.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimethyl sulphate, purity at least 99% | 2920 90 10 75 | 6% | None |
| Other sulphuric esters: lower-purity dimethyl sulphate, subject to classification | 2920 90 10 90 | 6% | None |
Specify assay, impurities and handling
Specify dimethyl sulphate by its substance identifier, 77-78-1, rather than accepting a similar chemical name. Agree assay, the analytical method, water content, acidity, colour and relevant impurity limits in writing. Request a certificate of analysis tied to the production batch, together with the safety data sheet and proposed container specification.
Dimethyl sulphate is classified as carcinogenic and acutely toxic. Arrange specialist handling and an agreed sampling procedure before dispatch. Ask the receiving laboratory to define how samples will be obtained and tested; routine visual inspection cannot establish chemical purity.
For Great Britain, address UK REACH registration where annual imports reach one tonne or more. Confirm with HSE whether an only representative route applies and when any required safety data sheet must be provided. Ensure the chemical is labelled and packaged correctly before placing it on the GB market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 15 tonnes of lower-purity dimethyl sulphate, subject to classification 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 purchase order, container labels, safety data sheet and analysis certificate to dimethyl sulphate and the same batch.
Analysis: have a specialist laboratory check assay, water, acidity and agreed impurities against the written specification.
Containers: check seals, closures, damage and signs of leakage without opening containers for routine inspection; confirm the receiving site accepts the proposed packaging.
Documents: check the registration route, applicable hazard labels and evidence supporting any suspension claim. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
A certificate may describe a different batch, omit the assay method or show purity below the threshold for the dedicated tariff line. Treat a supplier's stated grade as a specification to verify. Do not assume that a mixture qualifies for the dimethyl sulphate suspension.
Damaged closures, inconsistent hazard information and an unprepared receiving site can prevent an otherwise acceptable batch being handled safely. Agree receipt, specialist sampling and the response to damaged containers before shipment. Check the producer's batch records and laboratory capability through factory verification.
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 dimethyl sulphate from China?
The base duty is 6%. Dimethyl sulphate with purity of at least 99% under 2920 90 10 75 has a 0.00 % suspension, excluding mixtures. Lower-purity material needs classification confirmation.
Does a dimethyl sulphate mixture qualify for the suspension?
No. The supplied tariff footnote excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components. Ask your broker to confirm the mixture's commodity code.
Do I need UK REACH registration for dimethyl sulphate?
For Great Britain, annual imports of one tonne or more require a registration route. Check your own registration or applicable only representative coverage before ordering.
What should I check on a dimethyl sulphate batch?
Check substance identity, batch-linked assay, water, acidity, agreed impurities, container condition and hazard information. Arrange sampling through a specialist laboratory.