Sourcing Ferrous Sulphate from China

Ferrous sulphate pays 4% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, ferrous sulphate falls within heading 2833 under 2833 29 80 80, the residual other-sulphates line. Chinese-origin ferrous sulphate pays 4% duty. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is shown. The suspension attached to this line applies only to specified lithium and zirconium sulphates, so it does not reduce ferrous sulphate duty.

The tariff attaches an import waste control, alongside export waste and dangerous-chemical controls. For material imported from China as waste into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in China for consent. Confirm the material's waste status and applicable requirements with your customs broker before shipment; the export controls need separate checking if you later export it.

Confirm the commodity code against the composition, hydrate and certificate of analysis. The table describes forms sharing the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes. For neighbouring salts and their different suspensions, see sulphates and alums.

Specify hydrate and ferrous iron assay

State whether you need heptahydrate crystals or monohydrate powder or granules. Specify ferrous iron assay separately from total iron, and agree whether results are reported on the delivered or dry basis. Set contractual limits for insoluble matter, moisture and relevant impurities, together with particle size and a dissolution test suited to your process.

Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and a matching safety data sheet. Safety data sheets are required by UK REACH. An importer bringing each substance into Great Britain at one tonne or more annually should check UK REACH registration arrangements; registration is per substance and per legal entity. Agree moisture-resistant liners, bag closure and storage instructions before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 24 tonnes of ferrous sulphate heptahydrate in 25 kg bags under 2833 29 80 80, invoiced at £4,800 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,300. Duty at 4% is £252. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,552, so it is £1,310.40. Import taxes total £1,562.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £252 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the hydrate, product description and batch numbers on bags, certificates and retained samples.

Assay: independently test ferrous iron, total iron, moisture and insoluble matter against the agreed specification and reporting basis.

Process fit: check particle size, caking and dissolution using a representative arrival sample; record any residue.

Packaging: check bag weights, liner integrity, wet patches and pallet wrapping. Compare the delivered bags with the approved packing specification.

What goes wrong

Hydrate substitution and inconsistent assay bases can make apparently similar offers deliver different amounts of usable iron. A total-iron result alone does not establish the ferrous iron content you agreed. Insoluble residue can disrupt dosing, while moisture ingress leaves bags caked or damaged.

Keep an approved sample and agree the laboratory method before the order. Compare shipment and arrival results on the same basis, and hold a disputed batch while investigating. Use quality inspection to document sampling, packaging condition and batch traceability.

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.