Sourcing EDTA powder and salts from China

EDTA forms and the residual tariff line

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2922 covers oxygen-function amino-compounds. The supplied residual amino-acid line, 2922 49 85 90, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension recorded. The table shows EDTA forms against this shared candidate line, subject to classification confirmation.

The tariff attaches Veterinary control and Export control - Waste to this line. Where veterinary checks apply, they must take place at an approved border control post. EDTA-specific applicability for goods from China was not established: ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement using the composition and manufacturing-origin information. Also confirm the listed waste export control if arranging a return shipment as waste.

Give the broker the chemical identity, CAS number, salt, hydration state, composition and intended use to confirm the commodity code. Identify any formulation ingredients separately. See the ethanolamines and amino acids guide for the wider heading.

Specify the EDTA form and assay basis

Write the full chemical name rather than ordering simply 'EDTA powder'. Specify acid, disodium salt or tetrasodium salt, and the required hydration state. Agree whether assay is reported on the material as supplied or on a dry basis, with the test method and acceptance criteria written into the purchase specification.

Agree moisture, solution acidity or alkalinity at a stated test concentration, insoluble matter, particle size and relevant metal impurities. Request a batch certificate of analysis and a retained sample. Trial the approved sample in your own formulation, checking dissolution and chelating performance. For food, cosmetic or medical use, arrange an end-use review before ordering.

Settle that position before ordering. Chemicals must be labelled and packaged correctly before market supply. A safety data sheet is required where a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative: one tonne of disodium EDTA powder in lined bags, subject to code confirmation under 2922 49 85 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,480. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,480, so it is £696. 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 acid or salt and hydration state across the order, bag label, safety data sheet and batch certificate; investigate any inconsistent names.

Assay: test a representative shipment sample against the agreed assay basis, moisture and impurity specification; compare results with the batch certificate.

Dissolution: check dissolution, solution clarity and acidity or alkalinity under the agreed test conditions, then confirm performance in the intended formulation.

Packing: check sealed liners, intact bags, readable batch identification, net mass and signs of dampness, contamination or hard caking before accepting stock.

What goes wrong

An acid powder supplied against a salt order, or a different hydration state, can change dissolution and the amount needed in a formulation. Assay results can look consistent while using different reporting bases. Treat the chemical name, hydration state and assay method as linked purchasing conditions.

Damp liners, damaged bags and contamination can leave powder unsuitable for the intended process. Photograph affected packaging, keep batch identities separate and hold suspect material for testing. A generic certificate describing a typical product does not demonstrate that the delivered batch meets your specification.

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.