Sourcing Ferrophosphorus from China

Ferrophosphorus duty and commodity code

Heading 7202 covers ferro-alloys. Ferrophosphorus has the dedicated commodity line 7202 99 10 00. The table shows supply forms under that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications. For other alloys, see our ferro-alloys guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, ferrophosphorus from China carried 0% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control for this line. These are tariff findings; check chemical compliance separately.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual composition and product description before declaring the shipment. Give your customs broker the batch analysis, physical form and intended use. For the tax calculation, see UK import duty and VAT.

Phosphorus analysis, impurities and lump size

Specify the agreed phosphorus range and limits for carbon, sulphur, silicon and other impurities relevant to your process. State the accepted particle size, fines allowance and packaging. Require a batch certificate of analysis, agree representative sampling at loading and arrival, and name the independent laboratory whose result will settle a dispute.

UK REACH registration is per substance and legal entity. Ask a chemicals adviser to confirm the registration position for the actual material and your importing business. Substances and mixtures must be correctly labelled and packaged before sale in Great Britain. Obtain the supplier's safety data sheet and check that it describes the supplied composition and physical form.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of ferrophosphorus lumps under 7202 99 10 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 sample results with the agreed phosphorus range and impurity limits, rather than accepting the supplier's grade name alone.

Size: screen a representative sample for oversize lumps and fines; inspect material from across the batch.

Condition: check for moisture, caking, foreign material and damaged packaging before unloading into storage.

Traceability: match bag or drum markings, batch certificates, retained samples and shipment records. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

Phosphorus below the agreed range changes the addition needed in the buyer's process. Excess impurities can make an otherwise acceptable phosphorus result unusable. A sample taken only from the top of a bag may conceal mixed material, while extra fines can make handling and dosing inconsistent.

Agree how rejected material, resampling and laboratory disputes will be handled before ordering. Keep arrival batches separate until the analysis and size checks are accepted. A certificate that cannot be matched to the delivered batch gives little basis for resolving a claim.

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.