Sourcing ethanolamines and amino acids from China
Oxygen-function amino compounds from China, including monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, lysine, glutamic acid and MSG, glycine and anthranilic acid, pay 0% or 6% UK duty by line and pharmaceutical status, with no anti-dumping duty. Some are drug precursors or controlled drugs, and UK REACH applies from one tonne a year. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Ethanolamines, amino acids such as lysine, glycine and MSG, and other amino compounds pay 0% to 6% UK duty from China. Precursor rules explained.
Rates by substance
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and anthranilic acid carried a flat 6% on goods from China; lysine, monosodium glutamate and glycine of 95% purity or more carried 0%; and monoethanolamine and the residual lines carried 0% for listed pharmaceutical substances under additional code 2500 and 6% for others. None had an anti-dumping measure.
Give the broker the CAS number; the heterocyclics guide explains the additional codes.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monoethanolamine and its salts | 2922 11 00 00 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
| Diethanolamine and its salts | 2922 12 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Triethanolamine | 2922 15 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Lysine and its esters and salts | 2922 41 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Monosodium glutamate, other origins | 2922 42 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Anthranilic acid | 2922 43 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Glycine, 95% purity or more | 2922 49 85 17 | 0% | None |
Drug precursors and controlled drugs
Anthranilic acid is listed in subcategory 2B of Annex I to the retained drug precursors regulation, so its trade falls under the Home Office precursor regime. Heading 2922 also contains controlled drugs such as methadone and tilidine, which section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 prohibits importing without a licence.
REACH, food and feed
Importing a substance at one tonne or more a year needs UK REACH registration. Ethanolamines used in cosmetics are subject to the cosmetics ingredient annexes, so check the end use. MSG, lysine and glycine for food or feed need food or feed grade specifications and certificates of analysis.
Documents and shipping
Ask for the safety data sheet, a certificate of analysis per batch and the dangerous goods classification, since ethanolamines are corrosive. Test the first batch in a UK laboratory.
Cambridge China Bridge sources ethanolamines, amino acids and amino compounds, with precursor, REACH and grade questions settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on triethanolamine from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, triethanolamine and diethanolamine carried 6% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Is MSG from China subject to duty?
Monosodium glutamate under 2922 42 00 20 carried 0% from China on 25 September 2026.
Is anthranilic acid a drug precursor?
Yes. It is in subcategory 2B of Annex I to the retained drug precursors regulation.
Do amino acids need REACH registration?
Imports of one tonne or more a year of a substance need UK REACH registration unless an exemption applies.