Sourcing ferromanganese from China

Ferromanganese duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, all ferromanganese lines within heading 7202 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control for these lines.

Carbon content separates the main branches. Material containing more than 2% carbon, with granulometry not exceeding 5 mm and manganese content exceeding 65%, falls under 7202 11 20 00. Other material above 2% carbon falls under 7202 11 80 00; material containing 2% carbon or less falls under 7202 19 00 00. Confirm the commodity code using the actual analysis and size specification.

Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism will apply to your planned ferromanganese imports. Check the UK carbon border adjustment guide before arranging later imports. For other alloy families, see the ferro-alloys guide.

Specify manganese, carbon and lump size

State the manganese range and maximum carbon, phosphorus, sulphur and aluminium contents. Specify lump size, the permitted fines fraction and how size will be measured. Agree whether the certificate reports a production batch or the actual shipment, and identify the laboratory whose result will settle a dispute.

Before importing, establish the substance identities and check UK REACH registration coverage for the constituent substances. HSE states that substances in a mixture must be registered when their aggregated imports reach 1 tonne or more per year. For supply in Great Britain, arrange chemical classification and ensure correct labelling and packaging before placing the material on the market.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of ferromanganese lumps under 7202 11 80 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,500, so it is £6,500. 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

Analysis: compare independent batch results for manganese, carbon and impurities with the agreed contract limits.

Sampling: agree sampling and sample preparation using ISO 3713, retain sealed samples and record which bags or lots they represent.

Size: screen representative samples for lump size and fines rather than judging the visible material at the top of a bag.

Packing: check bag condition, moisture, batch identification and delivered weight against the packing list.

What goes wrong

A certificate can match the ordered grade while the delivered bags contain mixed material. Low manganese, excess carbon or phosphorus, and too many fines can make the shipment unsuitable for the buyer's melt specification. Keep lots separate until the arrival analysis and size checks are accepted.

A grade name alone does not settle the customs code or chemical compliance. Obtain the composition and particle-size evidence before booking freight. Agree a written procedure for resampling, independent analysis and handling rejected material.

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.