Sourcing gypsum and plaster from China
Gypsum, anhydrite and plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate from China, including moulding, casting, dental and ceramic mould plasters, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 2520, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers check setting time, strength, expansion, whiteness and moisture-proof packing, because plaster spoils in damp.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2520 covers gypsum and anhydrite, and plasters consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate, whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The gypsum line carries the waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration.
Plasterboard and coving are covered in our plaster coving and plasterboard guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gypsum and anhydrite | 2520 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Plasters (calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate) | 2520 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying plaster
Specify the plaster type (alpha or beta hemihydrate, dental class, ceramic mould or casting plaster), water ratio, setting time, compressive strength, setting expansion, whiteness and fineness, and packing in lined bags with production dates. Building plasters placed on the GB market may need a declaration of performance where a designated standard covers them, which you should confirm with the supplier.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10 tonnes of dental and casting plaster in 25 kg bags under 2520 20 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £1,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,600, so it is £1,320. 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
Testing: test setting time, strength and expansion on samples against the certificate.
Packing: check lined bags, pallet wrapping and production dates.
Arrival: check for lumps and damp before acceptance. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Plaster orders fail on moisture, setting and strength. Damp bags set in transit, setting time varies between batches, and strength is below the grade for dental or mould work.
Cambridge China Bridge sources plasters and minerals for UK dental labs, potteries and casting studios from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on plaster from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, plasters under 2520 20 00 00 carried 0% from China.
What is the difference between alpha and beta plaster?
Alpha plaster needs less water and gives harder, stronger casts; beta plaster is cheaper and softer.
Why does plaster go lumpy?
It absorbs moisture in transit or storage; use lined bags and check production dates.
Is plasterboard in heading 2520?
No. Plasterboard and other plaster articles are heading 6809.