Sourcing fumed alumina from China
Fumed alumina from China normally pays 4% UK duty; a restricted suspension can reduce this to 0% for manufacture of auto-catalyst monoliths. Check UK REACH registration and arrange scientifically competent classification and labelling before selling in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources fumed alumina.
Fumed alumina duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2818 covers artificial corundum, aluminium oxide and aluminium hydroxide. For untreated fumed alumina powder, check the other aluminium oxide line, 2818 20 00 90. It carries 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. The application grades in the table share this tariff line; they are not separate commodity subheadings.
The recorded 0% suspension on this line is specifically for manufacture of auto-catalyst monoliths and excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing different components. Do not assume ordinary coating or adhesive orders qualify. The tariff also attaches import and export waste controls. If material from China is imported into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in China for consent. Confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker before shipment.
Give your broker the composition, manufacturing process, surface treatment and intended use to confirm the commodity code. A supplier's description of the material as activated alumina needs checking against the separate tariff specification. For the wider aluminium oxide family, see calcined alumina powder.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Untreated fumed alumina powder | 2818 20 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify surface area and dispersion behaviour
Specify fumed alumina explicitly, including whether the powder is untreated or surface-treated. Agree aluminium oxide assay, specific surface area and its test method, moisture, bulk density, impurity limits and aggregate size measured under a defined dispersion procedure. Ask the factory to identify any treatment agent or other constituent rather than relying on a grade name.
Trial the sample in your actual resin, coating or adhesive. Record the mixing method, wetting, viscosity, settling and visible agglomerates, then use the approved sample as the comparison for production. Agree sealed moisture-resistant packaging and a batch certificate of analysis.
Confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities for your planned annual imports with HSE before ordering. Arrange classification and labelling through someone with scientific competence. A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for use at work; request the supplier's sheet during specification review.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 300 kg of untreated fumed alumina powder, illustrative order under 2818 20 00 90, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,200. Duty at 4% is £128. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,328, so it is £665.60. Import taxes total £793.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £128 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the bag grade and batch number to the purchase specification and certificate of analysis; check whether surface treatment or added constituents have changed.
Powder properties: compare assay, surface area, moisture and bulk density with the agreed limits using the agreed test methods.
Dispersion: repeat the approved mixing procedure and compare viscosity, settling and remaining agglomerates with the retained sample.
Packing and documents: check seals, leaks, moisture damage, net weight and batch markings; compare labels with the classification information. Put these checks in your inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A powder sold under a similar grade name may have different surface area, surface treatment or aggregate behaviour. It can pass an assay check yet disperse differently in your formulation. Moisture uptake, hard agglomerates and inconsistent bulk density can also disrupt mixing and dosing.
Keep a retained sample and compare each production batch under the same conditions. Investigate a changed certificate, treatment agent or manufacturing process before accepting a substitute. Avoid treating a favourable laboratory result as proof that the powder will perform in your production mixer.
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 fumed alumina from China?
Normally 4% under 2818 20 00 90. The recorded 0% suspension is restricted to manufacture of auto-catalyst monoliths. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Does fumed alumina need UK REACH registration?
Confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities for your planned annual imports with HSE. Review your importer position before ordering rather than relying on the supplier's export paperwork.
Can I replace fumed alumina with calcined alumina?
Treat it as a material change. Compare surface area, dispersion and performance in your formulation before approving any substitution.
What should a fumed alumina batch certificate show?
The grade and batch identity, assay, surface area, moisture, bulk density and agreed impurities, with test methods. Verify dispersion separately against your approved sample.