Sourcing doped germanium wafers from China

Duty on doped germanium 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 doped chemical compounds. Doped germanium wafers fall within the other-materials line, 3818 00 90 00. The supplied tariff data contains only this relevant commodity line.

The duty for goods from China is 0%. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is separate from duty; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the material, doping and processing stage against the commodity code guide. Describe the goods as doped germanium wafers rather than simply semiconductor substrates. For the wider heading, see our doped gallium arsenide wafer guide.

Specify the germanium crystal and dopant

Specify the dopant element, conductivity type, resistivity range and measurement method. Agree crystal orientation, diameter, thickness, thickness variation, bow, warp, edge profile and orientation marking. State whether the wafer is polished on either face, the surface finish required and the permitted chips, scratches and contamination. Request batch reports tied to the crystal and wafer lot.

Before importing, assess whether the material is a substance, mixture or article under UK REACH. HSE defines an article by whether shape, surface or design determines function more than chemical composition. Where substance registration applies, HSE guidance sets a threshold of 1 tonne per year; substances within mixtures are assessed by their aggregated annual import volumes.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 doped germanium wafers, illustrative order under 3818 00 90 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,000, so it is £6,600. 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 germanium material, dopant, conductivity type and lot markings to the purchase specification and batch report.

Electrical properties: compare sampled resistivity measurements with the agreed range and method; check variation across the wafer and between lots.

Geometry and surface: check thickness variation, bow, warp, orientation marking, edge chips, cracks, scratches and polishing residue.

Packing: check that wafers are restrained without rubbing, carriers are clean and seals are intact; photograph damage before unpacking. Agree the sampling plan through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A wafer can match the ordered diameter yet have the wrong dopant, conductivity type or resistivity. Incorrect orientation, excessive bow and inconsistent polishing can also make a batch unsuitable for the buyer's process. Avoid accepting a generic material certificate in place of measurements linked to the delivered lot.

Cracks, chipped edges and particles can arise during handling or transit. Inspect arrival samples before releasing the batch to processing, retain the packaging and keep disputed wafers separate. Before ordering, check that the supplier can export the goods from China, as UK import guidance advises.

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.