Sourcing dolomite from China
Dolomite from China, raw, calcined or sintered, used in glass, ceramics, steelmaking refractories, fillers and agriculture, pays 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 2518, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers check magnesium and calcium oxide content, silica and iron limits, particle size, whiteness and moisture, and calcined dolomite needs dry packing.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2518 covers dolomite, whether or not calcined or sintered, including dolomite roughly trimmed or merely cut into rectangular blocks or slabs. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. New material clears the tariff's waste import control on a declaration that it is not waste under the retained waste shipments regulation.
Dolomite ramming mix is a refractory preparation, covered in our refractory castables guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolomite, not calcined or sintered | 2518 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Calcined or sintered dolomite | 2518 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying dolomite
Specify magnesium oxide and calcium oxide content, silica, iron and alumina limits, particle size or mesh, whiteness for fillers and glass, loss on ignition, and for calcined or sintered dolomite the reactivity and packing. Calcined dolomite reacts with moisture, so it needs dry, sealed packing and a safety data sheet. Where dolomite is sold as construction aggregate, check Aggregates Levy with HMRC.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of ground dolomite for glass making under 2518 10 00 00, invoiced at £3,200 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,000, so it is £1,000. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: sample at loading and check oxides and iron against the specification.
Grading and whiteness: sieve samples and check whiteness for filler grades.
Packing: check bags for moisture, especially calcined grades. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Dolomite orders fail on chemistry, iron and moisture. Magnesium content is below grade, iron spoils glass or white fillers, and calcined dolomite takes up moisture and swells in the bag.
Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial minerals and materials for UK users from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on dolomite from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, both lines of heading 2518 carried 0% from China.
What is the difference between raw and calcined dolomite?
Calcined dolomite has been heated to drive off carbon dioxide and reacts with water; raw dolomite has not.
What matters in dolomite for glass?
Magnesium and calcium content, low iron and a consistent particle size.
Is dolomite ramming mix in heading 2518?
No. It is a refractory preparation of heading 3816.