Sourcing fluorides and cryolite from China
Fluorides and complex fluorine salts from China, including aluminium fluoride, sodium and ammonium fluoride, synthetic cryolite, potassium hexafluorozirconate, tungsten hexafluoride and lithium hexafluorophosphate for battery electrolyte, pay 0% UK duty on all 8 lines of heading 2826. Many are toxic, so UK REACH, CLP and dangerous goods rules apply.
Aluminium fluoride, sodium fluoride, synthetic cryolite, lithium hexafluorophosphate and other fluorine salts from China pay 0% UK duty. Purity checks.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 2826 covers fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts. All 8 lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure: aluminium fluoride, ammonium or sodium fluoride, listed tungsten hexafluoride of 99.9% purity, other fluorides, sodium hexafluoroaluminate (synthetic cryolite), dipotassium hexafluorozirconate, listed lithium hexafluorophosphate of 99% purity, and other complex salts.
Hydrogen fluoride is heading 2811, so confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium fluoride | 2826 12 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Ammonium or sodium fluoride | 2826 19 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Tungsten hexafluoride, 99.9% or more | 2826 19 90 10 | 0% | None |
| Other fluorides | 2826 19 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Synthetic cryolite (sodium hexafluoroaluminate) | 2826 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Dipotassium hexafluorozirconate | 2826 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Lithium hexafluorophosphate, 99% or more | 2826 90 80 30 | 0% | None |
| Other complex fluorine salts | 2826 90 80 90 | 0% | None |
Chemical and transport rules
Importers of one tonne or more a year need a UK REACH registration position for each substance, and safety data sheets and labels follow the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Check each salt's hazard classification and whether it is a dangerous good for transport on the safety data sheet, and store moisture-sensitive salts such as lithium hexafluorophosphate dry.
Specifying fluorides
Specify assay, impurity limits (silica, iron, sulphate, heavy metals, and water for battery-grade salts), particle size, loss on ignition, moisture, and packing suited to the hazard class.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 20 tonnes of synthetic cryolite in bags, commodity code 2826 30 00 00, bought for £24,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance, so £26,200 is the value customs works from. No duty is due on synthetic cryolite; import VAT at 20% of £26,200 is £5,240. If you are VAT-registered, that VAT is normally reclaimable. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: check assay and impurities on each lot certificate, and verify a sample in an independent laboratory.
Packing: check sealed, labelled packaging approved for the hazard class and lot marking.
Documents: check the safety data sheet matches the product and the UK classification.
What goes wrong
Fluoride orders fail on impurities, moisture and packaging. Silica or iron is above the limit for smelting or glass use, battery-grade salts pick up moisture and degrade, and packaging is not approved for the hazard class.
Test lots and check packing before shipping. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources fluorides and cryolite for UK metals, glass, ceramics and battery buyers, checking the producer's analysis first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on cryolite from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, synthetic cryolite under 2826 30 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is lithium hexafluorophosphate listed separately?
Yes. Grades of 99% or more purity are 2826 90 80 30, at 0%.
Is hydrogen fluoride in heading 2826?
No. Hydrogen fluoride is heading 2811.
Do fluorides need REACH registration?
Importers of one tonne or more a year need a UK REACH position for each substance.