Sourcing dimethylamine from China

Dimethylamine: 6% UK duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, dimethylamine and its salts fall within 2921 11 00 00 under heading 2921, amine-function compounds. The supplied tariff facts show 6% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table shows product forms sharing this commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export control for waste to this line. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. If buying spent, recovered or off-specification material from China, establish its waste status and ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity, salt form and full composition, including solvent and additives. For related products, see the wider amines guide.

Specify dimethylamine form and concentration

Write down whether you need anhydrous dimethylamine, an aqueous solution or a named salt. For a solution, agree concentration by mass and the assay method. Specify limits for methylamine, trimethylamine, water where relevant, colour and residues that could affect your process. Request a batch certificate of analysis and agree how a representative sample will be obtained safely.

Before supply in Great Britain, check classification, labelling and packaging against the applicable chemical rules. Obtain an English safety data sheet matching the actual form and concentration. Confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities and how to calculate annual substance imports, including the substance contained in solutions, with HSE. Agree dangerous goods packaging and transport with the carrier before placing the order.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pilot batch of dimethylamine solution; values are hypothetical under 2921 11 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 6% is £390. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,890, so it is £1,378. Import taxes total £1,768; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £390 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the product name, salt form, batch reference and composition across the order, analysis certificate and safety data sheet.

Assay: compare concentration and agreed impurity results with the purchase specification; arrange independent testing where the process requires it.

Packaging: check closures, seals, valve protection where fitted, leakage and damage against the agreed packing specification.

Documents: compare container labels and transport paperwork with the actual contents and receiving site's handling arrangements.

What goes wrong

A quote for dimethylamine can conceal a different supply form or concentration. Comparing gross shipment weight alone can hide how much usable substance you are buying. Missing impurity results can also leave the buyer unable to judge whether the batch suits the intended reaction.

Packaging and paperwork can disagree: the safety data sheet describes a different concentration, batch references do not match, or closures arrive damaged. Hold a disputed batch pending investigation and agreed testing. Resolve the receiving site's unloading and storage arrangements 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.