Sourcing hydrobromic acid from China

Hydrobromic acid: 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2811 covers other inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals. Its hydrogen bromide (hydrobromic acid) line, 2811 19 10 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is listed for this line. The table shows purchasing grades sharing this commodity line.

The tariff attaches an import waste control and an export waste control. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For spent acid or material offered for recovery, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for the shipment from China before dispatch, including whether prior written notification and consent are needed. Confirm the export control separately before any re-export.

Match the composition and supplied form to the commodity code, rather than relying on the supplier's grade name. For other products in this heading, see silica and inorganic acids.

Specify concentration and impurity limits

Specify an aqueous hydrobromic acid solution, its concentration by mass, intended process and acceptance limits. Agree limits for free bromine, chloride, sulphate and relevant trace metals. Ask for batch results and test methods rather than accepting an industrial or reagent grade name alone. Agree the container material, closure, seal and unloading arrangement with the receiving site.

Check UK REACH registration coverage for the imported substance. Confirm with HSE whether your annual imports need registration coverage or qualify for an exemption or transitional arrangement. Correct chemical labels and packaging are required before placing goods on the market. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet; request an English version and arrange a competent review before supply.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of industrial hydrobromic acid solution under 2811 19 10 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,000, so it is £1,200. 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

Concentration: compare batch titration results with the agreed concentration and test method; arrange independent testing of a representative sample by a competent laboratory.

Impurities: check the certificate of analysis against the agreed free bromine, chloride, sulphate and metal limits; record unexpected colour or sediment for investigation.

Containers: check seals, closures, net contents, batch marks and evidence of leakage on arrival; agree packaging suitability with the chemical carrier before shipment.

Documents: match the product identity, concentration and batch across labels, the safety data sheet and transport documents. Define the scope in your inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A supplier's grade name can hide differences in concentration or impurity limits. A generic certificate may describe the product without reporting the shipped batch. Unexpected colour can prompt investigation, but appearance alone cannot establish whether the acid meets the specification.

Leaking closures, damaged seals and documents describing a different concentration create receiving problems. Agree how the receiving site will isolate damaged containers and arrange specialist handling. Resolve failed batch tests before releasing the acid into production.

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.