Sourcing doped GaP wafers from China
Doped gallium phosphide wafers from China carry 0% UK duty under 3818 00 90 00. Check UK REACH duties for the supplied form; substances and mixtures placed on the Great Britain market must meet chemical classification and labelling rules. Cambridge China Bridge sources doped gallium phosphide wafers.
Duty on doped gallium phosphide 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 phosphide wafers fall within the non-silicon line, 3818 00 90 00.
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China under this line, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control. The table shows purchasing variants sharing this tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes.
Confirm the material, doping and processing state using finding your commodity code. For related materials within the wider heading, see the doped gallium arsenide wafer guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donor-doped gallium phosphide wafers | 3818 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the gallium phosphide substrate
Write gallium phosphide in full on the purchase specification. Specify the dopant identity, conductivity type, carrier concentration or resistivity range, crystal orientation, diameter, thickness, thickness variation, bow and warp. State which faces are polished, the required surface finish and the acceptable edge condition. Agree the measurement methods and request results tied to each supplied lot.
UK REACH generally covers substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles. Establish the status of the actual supplied wafer with a chemical compliance adviser before ordering. If supplied as a substance or mixture, it must be classified and labelled under Great Britain's chemical supply rules. Ask the supplier for composition and safety information covering the dopant as well as the substrate.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 doped gallium phosphide wafers for a trial order, illustrative only under 3818 00 90 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,700. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,700, so it is £540. 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 the gallium phosphide description, dopant, conductivity type and lot identifiers across the order, wafer containers and batch report.
Geometry: measure sampled wafers for diameter, thickness variation, bow, warp and orientation against the agreed specification.
Electrical and surface: compare lot measurements with the ordered electrical range; inspect polished faces and edges for scratches, particles, stains, chips and cracks.
Packing: check that wafers are separated and restrained in suitable carriers, seals are intact and damaged wafers are recorded before the lot enters production.
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What goes wrong
A gallium phosphide order can fail through the wrong dopant, electrical variation, incorrect orientation or an unsuitable polished face. Reports without matching lot identifiers make it difficult to establish which wafers were tested. Surface contamination, excessive warp and edge chips can cause problems during handling and subsequent processing.
Agree acceptance criteria before payment, retain an approved sample and check each arriving lot before release. Specify carrier packing and the procedure for recording transit damage. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on doped gallium phosphide wafers from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty under 3818 00 90 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do doped gallium phosphide wafers need UK REACH checks?
Yes. UK REACH generally covers substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles. Establish the supplied wafer's status and your obligations before ordering.
What should I specify when buying gallium phosphide wafers?
Specify dopant, conductivity type, electrical range, crystal orientation, dimensions, thickness variation, bow, warp, polished faces and surface acceptance criteria.
How do I check gallium phosphide wafers on arrival?
Match lot identifiers and reports, sample geometry and electrical properties, inspect faces and edges, and record packing damage before releasing the lot.