Sourcing dimethyl terephthalate from China
Dimethyl terephthalate of at least 95% purity by weight carries 6% UK duty from China, with no listed suspension or trade remedy. Importers should confirm applicable UK REACH registration requirements with HSE before importing. Cambridge China Bridge sources dimethyl terephthalate.
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Duty on dimethyl terephthalate
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 22 November 2026, dimethyl terephthalate with a purity by weight of 95% or more falls under 2917 37 00 10 within heading 2917. The supplied tariff facts contain only this dimethyl terephthalate line, so the table contains only this product rather than unrelated acids or esters.
The listed duty for goods from China is 6%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded for this line. The tariff attaches an export control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; if buying waste material from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirements before shipment.
Confirm identity, composition and purity against the commodity code guide. Do not transfer the tariff treatment of terephthalic acid to its dimethyl ester. See the wider polycarboxylic acids and phthalates guide for other products within the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimethyl terephthalate, purity by weight of 95% or more | 2917 37 00 10 | 6% | None |
Specify the dimethyl terephthalate grade
Write the chemical identity and intended process into the purchase specification. Agree assay, moisture, acid value, colour, ash and iron acceptance criteria with your technical team. State the physical form, packaging and sampling method, and require a batch-specific certificate of analysis rather than a generic specification sheet.
Importers should confirm applicable UK REACH registration requirements with HSE for their substance and annual import volume. Suppliers are responsible for correct labelling and packaging before substances are placed on the Great Britain market. Request the safety data sheet and review it alongside the agreed composition and handling arrangements.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of dimethyl terephthalate in 25 kg bags; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 2917 37 00 10, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,800. Duty at 6% is £1,668. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,468, so it is £5,893.60. Import taxes total £7,561.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,668 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and package markings to dimethyl terephthalate.
Batch results: compare assay, moisture, acid value and colour with the agreed limits; arrange independent testing of a representative retained sample.
Packaging: inspect seals, liners and bags for damage, wetting, leakage or contamination; record the condition before unloading.
Traceability: match batch references across packages and documents, retain a sample and record which lots enter your process.
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What goes wrong
A supplier's headline purity can hide differences in moisture, acidity or colour. A generic certificate cannot establish the condition of the delivered batch. Approve material using the agreed test methods and a process trial, and keep suspect lots separate while results are checked.
Similar names cause purchasing and customs errors: terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate are different products. Specify the ester explicitly and check that the invoice, analytical evidence and tariff description agree before dispatch.
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 terephthalate from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 6% for 2917 37 00 10, covering purity by weight of 95% or more, with no listed suspension, anti-dumping or countervailing measure.
Do I need UK REACH registration?
Confirm your position before committing to the order.
What should the batch certificate show?
Ask for batch identity and actual results for the agreed assay, moisture, acid value, colour and impurity checks, with the test methods used.
Does the waste control apply to ordinary product?
Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. The tariff lists an export waste control; ask your broker to confirm requirements if the proposed China shipment is waste material.