Sourcing doped GaAs wafers from China

Duty on doped gallium arsenide wafers

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 19 October 2026, heading 3818 covers chemical elements doped for electronics in discs, wafers or similar forms, and doped chemical compounds for electronics. Doped gallium arsenide wafers fall within the other compounds line, 3818 00 90 00. Only this supplied tariff line is relevant to this guide, so the table contains a single entry.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control recorded for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%. See UK import duty and VAT.

Give your broker the composition, dopant, intended electronic use and processing state to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading and its silicon lines, see sourcing silicon wafers.

Specify the dopant and wafer surface

Specify gallium arsenide composition, dopant identity, conductivity type, carrier concentration and resistivity range. Agree crystal orientation, orientation marking, diameter, thickness, thickness variation, bow and warp. State whether the wafer is polished on a single face or both faces, and define acceptable scratches, particles and edge chips.

Ask for measurement methods, acceptance limits and wafer or lot identifiers on the batch certificate. Match the surface preparation to your intended deposition or device process, and approve samples before releasing a production order.

UK REACH registration applies to substances, mixtures and, in limited cases, substances in articles. Establish which category describes the supplied wafer and check the applicable obligations before import. Employers must adequately control workplace exposure to materials that cause ill health; plan handling and any cutting or grinding accordingly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 600 doped gallium arsenide wafers under 3818 00 90 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,500, so it is £6,500. 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

Identity: match dopant, conductivity type, lot identifiers and supplier test records to the purchase specification.

Geometry: check diameter, thickness variation, bow, warp and orientation marking against the agreed drawing.

Surface: inspect samples for scratches, particles, stains, cracks and edge chips using the agreed inspection method.

Packing: check individual separation, carrier restraint and sealed packaging; record damaged wafers before accepting the lot.

What goes wrong

A wafer can look acceptable while its dopant, resistivity or orientation differs from the order. A generic material certificate does not establish that the delivered lot meets your electrical specification. Require results tied to the shipped lot and agree how disputed measurements will be checked.

Surface contamination, polishing damage and edge chips can make wafers unsuitable for the buyer's process. Keep damaged or questionable lots separate until assessed, and compare arrival samples with the approved sample. Use the quality inspection guide to define the inspection brief.

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.