Sourcing fuel corrosion inhibitors from China
Fuel corrosion inhibitor packages from China carry 4% base UK duty, with a listed acid-based inhibitor potentially suspended to 0%. Before sale in Great Britain, chemicals must be correctly labelled and packaged under GB CLP. Check the composition and UK REACH position. Cambridge China Bridge sources fuel corrosion inhibitor packages.
Fuel inhibitor duty and the listed suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 3811 covers prepared additives for mineral oils and other liquids used for the same purposes, including anti-corrosive preparations. This guide concerns fuel corrosion inhibitor packages. The table shows the listed acid-based inhibitor and metal-salt solution variants sharing a commodity code.
The selected lines carry 4% base duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no attached import controls in the supplied tariff record. Code 3811 90 00 50 has a 0% suspension for the listed inhibitor containing polyisobutenyl succinic acid and more than 5% but not more than 20% mineral oils, for manufacturing fuel additive blends. Its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Code 3811 90 00 60 has no suspension.
Match the complete composition, mineral oil content and intended use before selecting the commodity code. A commercial description such as fuel corrosion inhibitor does not establish suspension eligibility. For other additive functions, see the fuel and oil additives guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed polyisobutenyl succinic acid fuel corrosion inhibitor | 3811 90 00 50 | 4% | None |
| Listed calcium dinonylnaphthylsulphonate solution in mineral oil | 3811 90 00 60 | 4% | None |
Specify the inhibitor in your actual fuel
Specify the active chemistry, component identities, active content, carrier solvent and mineral oil content. Agree limits for water, sediment, viscosity and acidity, together with the sampling and test methods. State the target fuel, intended dosage, storage conditions and packaging material.
Agree corrosion testing using your fuel, relevant metals and expected water exposure. Check whether the package remains soluble and whether it changes water separation or forms deposits when combined with your existing additives. Approve a retained sample and require a batch certificate of analysis.
Before placing the package on the Great Britain market, ensure correct labelling and packaging under GB CLP. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet. Check the UK REACH position of the component substances; registration is assessed per substance and legal entity. Importers reaching one tonne or more annually of a substance should check their registration obligations.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of the listed calcium salt solution in drums under 3811 90 00 60, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,200. Duty at 4% is £1,048. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,248, so it is £5,449.60. Import taxes total £6,497.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,048 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: check the batch certificate against the agreed active chemistry, carrier and mineral oil content.
Performance: test corrosion protection and fuel compatibility at the agreed dosage using the agreed method.
Condition: inspect for separation, sediment, water contamination, damaged drums and leaking closures.
Documents: match batch identifiers across containers, analysis certificates, safety data sheets and labels. Use the quality inspection guide to define the sampling brief.
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What goes wrong
A package can protect metal in the supplier's test fuel yet separate or leave deposits in yours. Carrier substitution, inconsistent active content and contamination can change the result. Compare production samples with the retained sample and test the complete additive combination before accepting the batch.
A supplier may describe a finished package as the suspended acid-based inhibitor even though its composition differs from the tariff description. Obtain the formulation evidence before agreeing the customs treatment, and keep the commercial specification separate from the classification decision.
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 fuel corrosion inhibitors from China?
The selected fuel inhibitor lines carry 4% base duty. The listed inhibitor under 3811 90 00 50 has a conditional 0% suspension; 3811 90 00 60 has no suspension. No trade remedies are recorded for these lines.
Does every fuel corrosion inhibitor qualify for zero duty?
No. The suspension belongs to the specifically described acid-based inhibitor. Match its composition and intended use, and check the exclusion footnote before claiming it.
Do I need to check UK REACH for an imported inhibitor package?
Yes. Check the component substances and annual imported quantities. Registration is assessed per substance and legal entity; importers reaching one tonne or more annually of a substance should check their obligations.
How should I test a fuel corrosion inhibitor before buying?
Test it in your actual fuel at the agreed dosage, with the relevant metals and water exposure. Check corrosion protection, solubility, water separation and compatibility with your existing additive package.