Sourcing erythromycin from China
Erythromycin active ingredient, its derivatives and salts from China carry 0% UK import duty. For human medicines, the importer must register with the MHRA; confirm the applicable good manufacturing practice requirements with the MHRA. Cambridge China Bridge sources erythromycin active ingredient.
Erythromycin tariff coverage and duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 November 2026, erythromycin and its derivatives and salts under 2941 50 00 00 carry 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. Import VAT is normally 20%.
The tariff record attaches an export control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. If the consignment involves discarded material or a return intended for waste treatment, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements before shipment.
Heading 2941 covers antibiotic active substances as chemicals. The supplied facts contain only one erythromycin commodity line, shown in the table. Confirm the exact substance and presentation using finding your commodity code. For other antibiotics, see the antibiotic active ingredients guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erythromycin and its derivatives; salts thereof | 2941 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the erythromycin form and grade
State whether you need erythromycin itself, a salt or a derivative, and give the exact chemical identity. Agree the intended use, applicable pharmacopoeial monograph, assay basis, related-substance limits, residual-solvent limits and water specification. Ask the manufacturer to identify the production site and provide a batch certificate of analysis against your agreed specification.
For human medicines, the importer must be registered with the MHRA. Confirm the applicable good manufacturing practice requirements with the MHRA. Check when written confirmation from the exporting country's authority is needed. Ask the MHRA to confirm whether the manufacturing authorisation holder using the substance needs to audit the Chinese site or rely on an audit. For veterinary use, confirm the applicable requirements with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Agree sealed inner packaging, storage conditions, transport monitoring and sampling arrangements. Make the purchase specification distinguish the requested chemical form from other erythromycin products sharing the same tariff code.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of erythromycin active ingredient under 2941 50 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,500, so it is £5,300. 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 chemical form, manufacturer, batch identifiers and container labels to the purchase specification and certificate of analysis.
Batch quality: arrange identity, assay, related-substance, residual-solvent and water checks against the agreed specification; compare results with the supplier's batch report.
Packaging: check seals, liners, moisture ingress, contamination and damaged containers; photograph discrepancies before sampling.
Transport records: compare logger records with the agreed conditions and refer excursions to the buyer's quality team before accepting the batch.
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What goes wrong
A quotation may describe erythromycin generally while the sample or shipment is a different salt or derivative. A shared tariff code does not resolve that mismatch. Other failures include a certificate for a different batch, related substances or residual solvents outside the agreed limits, and potency loss following heat or humidity exposure.
Regulatory paperwork can also mismatch the actual production site or grade. Resolve document discrepancies before dispatch. On arrival, keep questionable material separate while the buyer's quality team reviews test results and transport records. Agree in advance who investigates a failed batch and who authorises its disposition.
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 erythromycin from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty under 2941 50 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Do I need registration to import erythromycin active ingredient?
For use in human medicines, the importer must register with the MHRA. Check the intended use before ordering; for veterinary use, confirm the applicable requirements with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Does the erythromycin tariff code cover salts and derivatives?
Yes. The supplied line covers erythromycin and its derivatives and salts. Specify the exact chemical form because the code alone does not establish suitability for your formulation.
What should I check when erythromycin arrives?
Check identity, batch documents, seals and transport records. Arrange testing against the agreed specification, including assay, related substances, residual solvents and water.