Sourcing industrial linoleic acid from China
Industrial linoleic acid from China carries 0% UK duty across the relevant distilled and other fatty-acid lines, with no listed trade remedies. Before sale in Great Britain, ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging and assess UK REACH registration applicability. Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial linoleic acid.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for UK manufacturers and engineering firms
Duty on industrial linoleic acid
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 3823 covers industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining and industrial fatty alcohols. This guide concerns industrial linoleic acid and linoleic-rich fatty-acid grades. The table gives candidate lines for distilled and other grades, separated by feed-use classification.
All selected lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Feed-use descriptions do not establish a batch's suitability for feed. This guide addresses industrial chemical purchasing.
Ask your customs broker to match the composition, production process and intended use to the full tariff description. Confirm the commodity code before shipment. For the wider heading, see our industrial oleic acid guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other distilled fatty acids, for uses other than animal feed | 3823 19 10 80 | 0% | None |
| Other industrial fatty acids, for uses other than animal feed | 3823 19 90 98 | 0% | None |
| Other distilled fatty acids, of a kind used for animal feed | 3823 19 10 50 | 0% | None |
| Other industrial fatty acids, of a kind used for animal feed | 3823 19 90 75 | 0% | None |
Specify the linoleic content and oxidation condition
Specify the linoleic acid content and complete fatty-acid profile, including oleic, linolenic and saturated components. Record the feedstock, distillation process and any added antioxidant. Agree limits and test methods for acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, moisture, unsaponifiable matter and colour. Trial the approved sample in your coating, resin or cleaning formulation.
Agree container material, seals, filling conditions, protection from air and light, storage instructions and batch identification. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and safety information matching the supplied composition. Before supplying chemicals in Great Britain, ensure correct labelling and packaging. A hazardous chemical supplied for workplace use needs a safety data sheet.
If this is a substance you have not previously imported, assess whether UK REACH registration is required. Establish the position for the actual composition rather than relying on the product name. Our testing and certification service can help organise composition and batch testing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of distilled industrial linoleic acid under 3823 19 10 80, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,000, so it is £6,600. 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
Composition: check the batch fatty-acid profile against the approved specification and sample, including linoleic content and declared additives.
Condition: check peroxide value, moisture, acid value and colour against agreed limits; investigate unusual odour or sediment.
Containers: check seals, leaks, corrosion, net contents and batch marks on arrival; photograph damage before unloading.
Documents: check that the certificate of analysis, safety information and container labels identify the same grade and batch. Use our quality inspection guide to plan sampling.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A supplier may quote total fatty-acid content when the buyer needs linoleic content. Changes in feedstock or blending can alter the fatty-acid profile and process performance. Oxidation during storage or transport can change colour and odour. Agree batch acceptance tests and retain sealed samples before dispatch.
An approved sample does not establish the condition of the shipment. Investigate mismatched batch documents, undeclared additives and damaged seals before releasing material into production. Check the producer's refining and testing capability through factory verification.
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 industrial linoleic acid from China?
The relevant distilled and other fatty-acid lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, read on 29 September 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
Which commodity code should I use for industrial linoleic acid?
3823 19 10 80 is a candidate for other distilled grades outside feed use; 3823 19 90 98 covers other grades outside feed use. Ask your broker to confirm against the full composition and tariff description.
Does industrial linoleic acid need UK REACH registration?
Assess the actual substance and your importing arrangements. HSE says a business importing a substance it has not previously imported needs to consider whether UK REACH registration is required.
How do I check the quality of a linoleic acid shipment?
Compare the batch fatty-acid profile, peroxide value, moisture, acid value and colour with agreed limits. Inspect seals and batch marks, retain samples and trial the material in your own formulation.