Sourcing Fenchyl Alcohol from China
Fenchyl alcohol provisionally falls under a residual cyclic-alcohol line carrying 0% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the composition and code, assess UK REACH registration, and ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging before GB sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources fenchyl alcohol.
Zero duty on the relevant residual line
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2906 covers cyclic alcohols and their specified derivatives. For separately supplied fenchyl alcohol, the candidate residual line is 2906 19 00 90: 0% duty from China, no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, and no suspension. The table shows different purchase specifications sharing this candidate line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied tariff record attaches Home Office controlled-drug import and export controls, plus an export waste control. It does not establish a fenchyl-alcohol-specific licence requirement. Ask your customs broker to confirm applicability to the actual Chinese consignment. Home Office guidance requires a licence for controlled drugs or precursor chemicals. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste; confirm the position separately for discarded or recovery material.
Send the composition, substance identity, isomer specification and intended use to your broker before confirming the commodity code. Do not assume a formulated fragrance follows the raw substance's classification. See the borneol guide for related heading coverage and the duty and VAT guide for tax calculations. Import VAT is normally 20%.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenchyl alcohol, specified alpha isomer | 2906 19 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the fenchyl alcohol isomer and grade
Write the chemical identity and required isomer composition into the purchase specification. State whether alpha, beta, a defined mixture or a specified optical isomer is acceptable. Agree assay, water content, residual solvents, appearance and the analytical methods used. For fragrance trials, compare the material in your formulation against a retained approved sample.
Ask for batch-specific analysis and the supporting chromatogram, rather than a generic specification sheet. Record any natural-origin claim and request evidence of the production route. Buy against an agreed end use; a supplier's fragrance-grade description alone is not your acceptance specification.
For a new substance import, assess whether UK REACH registration is required. Confirm the applicable registration threshold and your annual import quantities with HSE or your chemical adviser. Before GB sale, ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging, and review the proposed hazard classification and safety data sheet with your chemical adviser.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business trial batch of fenchyl alcohol under 2906 19 00 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,000, so it is £800. 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 container label, analysis certificate and order to the agreed fenchyl alcohol identity and isomer specification.
Analysis: check the batch chromatogram, assay, water and residual solvents against the purchase specification; investigate unexplained peaks.
Packaging: check seals, liner compatibility, leakage and net contents, and reconcile container batch references with the documents.
Performance: have trained staff compare a controlled sample with the retained reference and trial it in the intended formulation before releasing the batch.
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What goes wrong
A certificate headed only 'fenchyl alcohol' can leave the isomer composition unresolved. An assay result alone may not demonstrate the requested isomer profile. Treat changed chromatographic peaks, an unexpected odour profile or inconsistent batch references as reasons to investigate before using the material.
A successful sample trial does not establish that the shipment matches it. Retain the approved sample, agree the batch-release tests before ordering, and hold any disputed batch separately while identity, contamination or packaging damage is investigated.
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 fenchyl alcohol from China?
The candidate line 2906 19 00 90 carries 0% duty from China, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. Confirm that your composition belongs in this line. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Does importing fenchyl alcohol need UK REACH registration?
Assess registration before importing. Confirm the applicable registration threshold with HSE or your chemical adviser. Review your annual imports and registration position with your chemical adviser.
Does fenchyl alcohol need a Home Office import licence?
The tariff line has a Home Office control flag, but this does not establish a fenchyl-alcohol-specific requirement. Ask your broker to confirm applicability. Controlled drugs and precursor chemicals need a licence.
How do I check a Chinese fenchyl alcohol batch?
Compare substance identity, isomer profile, assay, water and residual solvents with your specification. Match the analysis to the container batch and trial a controlled sample against your retained reference.