Sourcing hydrogen peroxide from China
Hydrogen peroxide from China, including urea peroxide, pays 4% UK duty, but bulk hydrogen peroxide enters at 0% under a suspension until 31 December 2028. Above 12% by weight it is a regulated explosives precursor under the Poisons Act 1972, and it is an oxidiser under GB CLP, so labels, vented packaging and dangerous goods transport are needed.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Duty and the bulk suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2847 covers hydrogen peroxide, whether or not solidified with urea. The standard rate on goods from China was 4%, with no anti-dumping measure.
A 0% suspension runs from 18 July 2025 to 31 December 2028, but only for hydrogen peroxide in bulk, whether or not solidified with urea. Smaller packs pay the 4% rate. The tariff also attaches a waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen peroxide, whether or not solidified with urea | 2847 00 00 00 | 4% | None |
Precursor and hazard rules
Hydrogen peroxide above 12% 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. Products for consumers, such as hair or cleaning products, need to stay at or below the limit or be supplied only after the required checks to appropriately licensed members of the public or legitimate business users.
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidiser and corrosive at higher concentrations, so it needs GB CLP labels, a GB-format safety data sheet, vented UN-approved packaging and dangerous goods transport. Specify concentration, grade (technical, food, cosmetic or electronic), stabilisers and impurities.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5 tonnes of 35% hydrogen peroxide in 25 kg drums under 2847 00 00 00, invoiced at £4,500 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,700. Duty at 4% is £228. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,928, so it is £1,185.60. Import taxes total £1,413.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £228 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Concentration: check the certificate of analysis and test samples for concentration and stability.
Packing: check vented closures, UN markings and hazard labels.
Customer checks: confirm the business use before supplying precursor-strength product. 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
Hydrogen peroxide orders fail on concentration, packing and compliance. Concentration differs from the certificate, containers without vented caps swell, and precursor-strength product is sold to customers who have not been checked.
Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial chemicals for UK manufacturers with documents and transport agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on hydrogen peroxide from China?
The standard rate is 4%, but bulk hydrogen peroxide enters at 0% under a suspension until 31 December 2028.
Is hydrogen peroxide an explosives precursor?
Above 12% by weight it is a regulated explosives precursor; a member of the public needs a licence.
What packaging does hydrogen peroxide need?
Vented, UN-approved packaging, with GB CLP labels and a safety data sheet.
Does the suspension cover small bottles?
No. It applies only to hydrogen peroxide in bulk.