Sourcing Ethyl Acetate from China
Ethyl acetate from China carries a single UK duty rate of 4%, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. It is a flammable solvent: agree dangerous goods packaging, chemical registration coverage and supply labels before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources ethyl acetate.
Ethyl acetate: 4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, ethyl acetate under 2915 31 00 00 carries 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. Heading 2915 covers saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, including acetate esters.
The tariff attaches an export control for waste. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. If the proposed consignment is spent solvent or material offered for recovery, confirm its waste status and the applicable requirements with your customs broker before ordering. The attached export control should also be checked before returning waste to China.
Confirm the composition and commodity code before shipment. The table includes related products for comparison; they are not alternative codes for ethyl acetate. See the wider acids and acetates guide for the rest of the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethyl acetate | 2915 31 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Related solvent: n-butyl acetate | 2915 33 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Related product: vinyl acetate | 2915 32 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Related product: acetic acid, other | 2915 21 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify purity, water and residual ethanol
State the intended coating, adhesive or laboratory use. Agree acceptance limits for assay, water, residual ethanol, acidity and colour, with the test methods written into the purchase specification. Request a batch certificate of analysis and assess a sample in your own formulation before approving supply.
Ethyl acetate is a flammable solvent. Confirm its dangerous goods classification and applicable packaging markings and documents with your customs broker or the relevant transport authority before shipment. For Great Britain, confirm with HSE the UK REACH registration coverage needed for your annual import quantity; registration is per substance and legal entity. Request an English safety data sheet for review, confirm applicable classification and safety-data-sheet requirements with HSE, and ensure correct labelling and packaging before supply.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative drum-packed ethyl acetate order for a coatings business under 2915 31 00 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,980. Duty at 4% is £319.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,299.20, so it is £1,659.84. Import taxes total £1,979.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £319.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the ethyl acetate description, batch reference and certificate of analysis across the order, containers and shipping documents.
Composition: check assay by gas chromatography, water by Karl Fischer, and colour against the agreed specification; include residual ethanol and acidity in the batch review.
Packaging: inspect drums, closures and seals for leaks, damage or bulging; match packaging markings and dangerous goods documents to the supplied material.
Arrival acceptance: arrange representative sampling by trained personnel and compare results with the agreed limits before releasing the batch to production.
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What goes wrong
A batch can meet the supplier's general solvent grade while containing too much water or ethanol for your formulation. A generic certificate can also conceal the difference between the sample approved and the batch shipped. Agree batch-specific results and an acceptance procedure before paying the balance.
Leaking or bulging drums create handling problems and leave the buyer with disputed stock. Record container condition on arrival and keep affected material separate pending assessment. Use testing and certification support to agree the analytical scope before shipment.
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 ethyl acetate from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 4% under 2915 31 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Do I need UK REACH registration for ethyl acetate?
Check registration coverage for imports into Great Britain when annual imports reach one tonne or more. Registration is per substance and legal entity.
What should I test before accepting ethyl acetate?
Check assay, water, residual ethanol, acidity and colour against your purchase specification. Match the test results to the actual shipment batch.
Can ethyl acetate be shipped in ordinary drums?
It is a flammable solvent. Confirm its dangerous goods classification and required packaging markings and documents with your customs broker or the relevant transport authority before shipment. Request an English safety data sheet for review.