Sourcing doped gallium oxide wafers from China

Zero duty on doped gallium oxide wafers

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3818 covers chemical elements doped for electronics in discs, wafers or similar forms, and chemical compounds doped for electronics. Doped gallium oxide wafers fall within the other doped compounds line, 3818 00 90 00, subject to confirmation of the actual goods.

The supplied data records 0% duty for goods from China under this line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control listed. Import VAT is normally 20%. The table contains the sole supplied commodity line relevant to this product family.

Confirm the material composition, doping and processing stage using finding your commodity code. For related materials within the wider heading, see the doped gallium nitride wafer guide.

Specify the crystal and electrical properties

Specify the gallium oxide crystal phase, dopant identity and concentration range, crystal orientation and any offcut. State whether you need a conductive or semi-insulating substrate, and agree the resistivity or carrier concentration range and measurement method. Do not accept a dopant name as a substitute for measured electrical performance.

Agree wafer diameter, thickness, thickness variation, bow, warp, edge finish and polished faces. Specify surface roughness, acceptable defects and cleaning condition. Request wafer-level identifiers and batch reports that connect the delivered material to its crystal growth and finishing records.

UK REACH requires businesses to identify and manage risks from substances they manufacture and place on the market in Great Britain. Ask a chemicals adviser to determine whether the supplied wafer is an article or a substance and which obligations apply. Keep the supplier's composition and safe-handling information with the purchasing file.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of doped gallium oxide 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 wafer identifiers and batch reports to the ordered crystal phase, dopant, orientation and polished face.

Electrical properties: check resistivity or carrier concentration results against the agreed range, including the measurement method and variation across the wafer.

Geometry and surface: check diameter, thickness, bow and warp; inspect for edge chips, cracks, scratches, polishing residue and contamination.

Packing and traceability: check that wafers cannot move or touch inside their carriers, photograph transit damage and retain the batch records. Agree the sampling plan through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A wafer can match the ordered dopant yet miss the electrical specification. An incorrect crystal orientation, inconsistent polishing or surface contamination can also make it unsuitable for the buyer's process. Require measured batch data and trial the material in your process before approving repeat orders.

Edge chips and cracks can arise during finishing or transport. Record damage before handling the wafers further, keep affected batches separate and compare findings with the agreed acceptance criteria. Avoid releasing material solely because the supplier's report says it passed.

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.