Sourcing hydriodic acid from China
Hydriodic acid from China has a candidate UK tariff line with 4% standard duty and a conditional 0% suspension for hydrogen iodide. Confirm the exact composition before claiming relief, and address GB chemical classification, labelling and safety data sheets before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources hydriodic acid.
Standard duty and the hydrogen iodide suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2811 covers other inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals. The candidate line for hydriodic acid is 2811 19 80 90, within other inorganic acids. The table shows buying specifications sharing that candidate line, rather than separate tariff subheadings.
The supplied snapshot records 4% standard duty for goods from China, a conditional 0% suspension naming hydrogen iodide, and no anti-dumping or countervailing measure on this line. Obtain a broker's assessment of the actual aqueous composition and any stabiliser before claiming the suspension. The tariff also attaches import and export waste controls; confirm their application with your customs broker. For imports into England under notification controls, the Chinese exporter must apply to its dispatch-country competent authority for consent.
Confirm the commodity code using the complete composition and intended presentation. A supplier's product name alone is insufficient for your purchasing decision. For related products within the heading, see hydrobromic acid sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydriodic acid, aqueous grade; composition to confirm | 2811 19 80 90 | 4% | None |
Specify concentration, stabiliser and impurities
Specify hydriodic acid as an aqueous product, with the concentration expressed by mass, the analytical method and an agreed acceptance range. Name every stabiliser or additive and its content. Set separate limits for free iodine and the metal impurities that matter to your process. Request a batch certificate of analysis rather than a generic catalogue specification.
Substances and mixtures placed on the GB market must be classified and labelled under GB CLP. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require a safety data sheet. Request the English sheet for the actual formulation and agree container material, closure, storage instructions and delivery handling with the receiving laboratory.
Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration applies to your annual imports, whether any exemption applies and whether the manufacturer's UK only representative covers your supply. Establish who covers your supply before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small laboratory order of bottled hydriodic acid, using standard duty without claiming the suspension under 2811 19 80 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,440 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,440. Duty at 4% is £217.60. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,657.60, so it is £1,131.52. Import taxes total £1,349.12; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £217.60 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the product name, formulation, batch identifiers and certificate to the purchase specification.
Assay: arrange concentration testing by the agreed titration method and check free iodine and relevant metal impurities against the batch certificate.
Packaging: check bottle or drum material, closure integrity, leakage, external contamination and the agreed protection from light.
Documents: match the safety data sheet and labels to the actual concentration and additives; check the declared composition against the suspension footnote before customs entry.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A quotation headed only 'hydriodic acid' leaves concentration, stabiliser and impurity limits unresolved. Treat changes in colour, a failed assay or a mismatch between the certificate and container batch as reasons to hold the lot for investigation. Arrange sampling by personnel equipped to handle the supplied formulation.
Another failure is assuming that every grade qualifies for the hydrogen iodide suspension. Obtain the full formulation before agreeing the customs treatment. Keep leaking containers and batches with unresolved documentation out of use while the supplier and receiving laboratory investigate.
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 hydriodic acid from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot records 4% standard duty under 2811 19 80 90, with a conditional 0% suspension for hydrogen iodide. Confirm the formulation and suspension eligibility before entry.
Does stabilised hydriodic acid qualify for the suspension?
Do not assume it does. Give your customs broker the complete formulation, including water and stabiliser content, and request an assessment against the suspension footnote.
What should I ask the Chinese factory to specify?
Ask for concentration by mass, all stabilisers and additives, free iodine, relevant metal impurities, test methods, container material and a certificate of analysis for the supplied batch.
Does hydriodic acid need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether your annual imports require UK REACH registration, whether an exemption applies or whether the manufacturer's UK only representative covers your supply. Confirm who covers your supply.