Sourcing ethyl cyanoacetate from China
Ethyl cyanoacetate from China carries 0% UK duty on the dedicated high-purity line and the residual line, subject to correct classification. For Great Britain imports, confirm UK REACH registration coverage with HSE and arrange competent chemical classification and labelling. Cambridge China Bridge sources ethyl cyanoacetate.
Ethyl cyanoacetate duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2926 covers nitrile-function compounds. Ethyl cyanoacetate, chemical identity 105-56-6, with purity by weight of 97% or more appears under 2926 90 70 32 at 0% duty for goods from China. That line has no listed suspension, anti-dumping duty or countervailing duty. The table repeats it for different buying specifications.
The residual line 2926 90 70 90 also carries 0%. It lists an autonomous suspension covering alkyl or alkoxyalkyl esters of cyanoacetic acid, excluding mixtures, and an authorised-use suspension. Both relevant lines attach dangerous-chemical and waste export controls. The hazardous-chemical scheme concerns exports of certain chemicals; waste shipment controls apply when the material is waste. Confirm applicability to your shipment with your customs broker, particularly for off-specification material or returns.
Confirm the commodity code using substance identity, composition and measured purity. Ask your broker to assess material outside the dedicated description rather than assigning the residual code automatically. For the wider heading, see cyanoacetic acid sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethyl cyanoacetate, purity ≥97%, synthesis specification | 2926 90 70 32 | 0% | None |
| Other ethyl cyanoacetate: residual classification to confirm | 2926 90 70 90 | 0% | None |
Specify identity, assay and process suitability
Specify ethyl cyanoacetate by name and chemical identity 105-56-6. Agree assay, water, acidity, colour and relevant organic impurities, with test methods and acceptance limits written into the purchase specification. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and a sample for your own process trial. An assay result alone does not establish whether the material suits your synthesis.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE what UK REACH registration coverage is needed for the substance and supply arrangement. Confirm your UK REACH responsibilities before ordering. Classification and labelling must be carried out by someone with scientific competence. If the chemical is hazardous and supplied for use at work, a safety data sheet is required. Request an English version matching the supplied composition.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of ethyl cyanoacetate in drums under 2926 90 70 32, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,980. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,980, so it is £596. 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 purchase order, drum labels, certificate and safety data sheet to ethyl cyanoacetate rather than methyl cyanoacetate.
Batch analysis: independently check assay, water, acidity and agreed impurities against the delivered batch certificate.
Packing: check closures, seals, drum condition and leakage; match packaging materials and handling instructions to the agreed specification.
Traceability: reconcile drum batch references with retained samples and analysis records. Agree sampling and release checks using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may substitute methyl cyanoacetate, provide a generic certificate unrelated to the shipped batch, or report purity without identifying the impurities that matter to your process. Look for differences between the approved sample and delivered material, including water, acidity and colour. Keep suspect batches separate until testing resolves the discrepancy.
A laboratory-grade description can conceal an unspecified test method or acceptance limit. Agree the analytical basis before accepting the sample, retain the approved sample and require a certificate for each delivered batch. Review the actual composition and classification rather than relying on copied paperwork.
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 cyanoacetate from China?
The dedicated line 2926 90 70 32 carries 0% for purity by weight of 97% or more. The residual line also carries 0%, subject to correct classification. Neither relevant line lists an anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do I need UK REACH registration for ethyl cyanoacetate?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration coverage is needed through the importer or an only representative. Confirm coverage for your substance and supply arrangement before ordering.
What should I test before accepting ethyl cyanoacetate?
Check identity, assay, water, acidity, colour and process-relevant impurities against agreed methods and limits. Compare the delivered batch with its certificate and the approved process-trial sample.
Does ethyl cyanoacetate need a safety data sheet?
A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for use at work. Request an English sheet for the actual supplied composition and arrange competent classification and labelling.