Sourcing feldspar and fluorspar from China
Feldspar for ceramics and glass, fluorspar in metallurgical and acid grades, and nepheline syenite from China pay 0% UK duty on all four lines of heading 2529, with no anti-dumping duty. The tariff splits fluorspar at 97% calcium fluoride, so the assay decides the code. Buyers check grade, iron and other impurities, particle size and moisture.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2529 covers feldspar, leucite, nepheline and nepheline syenite, and fluorspar, split at 97% calcium fluoride by weight. All four lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The tariff also attaches a waste import control; new material clears on a declaration that it is not waste under the retained waste shipments regulation.
Synthetic fluorides such as aluminium fluoride and cryolite are covered in our fluorides guide; confirm the commodity code from the assay.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feldspar | 2529 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Fluorspar, containing 97% or less of calcium fluoride | 2529 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Fluorspar, containing more than 97% of calcium fluoride | 2529 22 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Leucite, nepheline and nepheline syenite | 2529 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying the mineral
For fluorspar, specify calcium fluoride content, silica, sulphur, phosphorus and moisture, and whether it is acid grade powder or metallurgical lump. For feldspar and nepheline syenite, specify the potassium and sodium oxide content, iron oxide, particle size and whiteness after firing.
Agree the sampling method and an independent laboratory for disputes, and ask for the safety data sheet.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of acid-grade fluorspar in bulk bags under 2529 22 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,800, so it is £2,160. 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
Assay: sample at loading and test the key oxides or calcium fluoride content.
Physical: check particle size and moisture against the specification.
Packing: check bulk bags, liners and lot marking. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Mineral orders fail on grade and consistency. Calcium fluoride content is below the grade paid for, iron content spoils white ceramics and glass, particle size drifts between lots, and wet bags cake.
Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial minerals for UK ceramic, glass and chemical users with assays agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on fluorspar from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, fluorspar under 2529 21 00 00 and 2529 22 00 00 carried 0% from China.
How is fluorspar classified?
The tariff splits fluorspar at 97% calcium fluoride by weight, so the assay decides the code.
What matters in feldspar for ceramics?
Potassium and sodium oxide content, low iron oxide, particle size and whiteness after firing.
Are synthetic fluorides in heading 2529?
No. Synthetic fluorides such as aluminium fluoride are chapter 28 chemicals.