Sourcing haematite from China

Conditional 4% duty under heading 2821

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2821 covers iron oxides and hydroxides and qualifying earth colours. Its supplied lines carry 4% duty for Chinese goods, with no trade remedies or suspensions recorded. Only the iron oxides and hydroxides line is relevant here; the supplied facts do not support additional product-specific tariff rows.

Natural iron oxides belong in heading 2530 according to the site's published background. Do not assign 2821 10 00 00 solely because a supplier calls the powder haematite. Ask for composition, origin and processing details, then confirm the commodity code. See the magnetite powder guide for the wider heading.

The tariff attaches waste import and export controls. For a China-to-England shipment subject to waste notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the waste controls apply to the actual material and what the route requires, including before any return shipment.

Specify density and drilling-fluid performance

Specify haematite identity, iron oxide assay, particle density, particle-size distribution, coarse residue, moisture and soluble salts. Distinguish particle density from loose bulk density. State the sampling and test methods alongside the acceptance limits, and agree whether the material contains additives or recovered feedstock.

Trial the approved sample in your intended drilling fluid. Compare achieved mud density, settling, viscosity and abrasive behaviour before approving production. Ask for a documented UK REACH position and the safety data sheet. Chemical importers are responsible for hazard classification in Great Britain; a supplier's grade name does not settle that assessment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of haematite weighting powder confirmed under this code under 2821 10 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,200. Duty at 4% is £728. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,928, so it is £3,785.60. Import taxes total £4,513.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £728 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare independently tested composition and impurities with the approved sample and the batch certificate.

Density and sizing: test particle density, particle-size distribution and coarse residue using the agreed methods.

Fluid performance: repeat the agreed mixing trial and compare settling and viscosity with the approved material.

Arrival condition: check for dampness, hard lumps, leaking liners and inconsistent bag weights; match bag batch marks to certificates. Arrange the scope through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A powder can match the stated iron content yet fail the drilling-fluid trial. Lower particle density changes the loading needed, while coarse particles can increase abrasion and settling. Excess fines can alter viscosity. Treat chemistry, sizing and fluid performance as separate acceptance checks.

Moisture can leave compacted lumps that disperse poorly. Mixed batches can make an approved sample unrepresentative of the shipment. Retain sealed samples from production and arrival, and agree how a disputed lot will be sampled before releasing it for use.

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.