Sourcing hydrochloric acid from China
Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) and chlorosulphuric acid from China pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 2806, with no anti-dumping duty. Hydrochloric acid above 10% by weight is a regulated explosives precursor under the Poisons Act 1972, so a member of the public needs a licence. Both are corrosive under GB CLP, and buyers check concentration, iron and packing.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, heading 2806 covers hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) and chlorosulphuric acid. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The tariff also attaches a waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration.
Hydrochloric acid above 10% by weight is a regulated explosives precursor under Part 1 of Schedule 1A to the Poisons Act 1972: a member of the general public needs a licence to import, acquire, possess or use it, and suppliers must report suspicious transactions. Check whether each customer is a business or a member of the public before supplying. Chlorosulphuric acid is not on that list, but it reacts violently with water and is handled as an industrial chemical only.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) | 2806 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Chlorosulphuric acid | 2806 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Hazards and specification
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive and gives off irritant fumes, so it needs GB CLP labels, a GB-format safety data sheet, approved packaging and dangerous goods transport. Chlorosulphuric acid needs dry, sealed packaging because it reacts violently with water.
Specify concentration, grade (technical, food processing or reagent), iron and heavy metal limits, colour, and packing in drums or IBCs. Ask for a certificate of analysis per lot.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 IBCs of 32% hydrochloric acid under 2806 10 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,000, so it is £1,600. 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
Analysis: check concentration and iron against the certificate.
Packing: check UN-marked containers, vented closures and leaks.
Labels: check GB CLP labels and the safety data sheet. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Hydrochloric acid orders fail on packing and customer checks. Closures leak or corrode, iron content colours the acid, and product above 10% is sold to the public without checking for a licence.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on hydrochloric acid from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, hydrochloric acid under 2806 10 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is hydrochloric acid a regulated explosives precursor?
Yes, above 10% by weight. A member of the public needs a licence to import, acquire, possess or use it.
Is chlorosulphuric acid in the same heading?
Yes, under 2806 20 00 00, also at 0%.
Does hydrochloric acid need dangerous goods shipping?
Yes. It is corrosive, so it ships as dangerous goods in approved packaging.