Sourcing isobutane refrigerant from China

Zero duty on the liquefied-butane lines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 2711 covers petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. For liquefied isobutane sold as refrigerant, 2711 13 97 00 is the candidate line to check against the composition and intended use.

All the listed liquefied-butane lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The processing and lower-purity rows provide classification context; they are not interchangeable refrigerant grades.

Give your broker the composition, physical state and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see bulk propane. Tariff clearance and chemical or cylinder compliance need separate checks.

Specify the gas and the cylinder

Specify isobutane identity, purity, moisture, other hydrocarbons, non-condensable gases and evaporation residue. Agree the test methods and acceptance limits with the equipment manufacturer. Ask for a certificate of analysis tied to the filling batch, rather than a generic product sheet.

State cylinder type, net contents, valve connection, seal and protective cap. Request cylinder conformity documents before ordering. GOV.UK guidance requires Rho marking for transportable pressure equipment placed on the Great Britain market; have the proposed cylinders checked for the intended supply route.

For imports of a tonne or more annually, check the UK REACH registration position. Chemical suppliers are responsible for correct labelling and packaging before placing products on the market. A safety data sheet is required for hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use. Workplace fire and explosion risks must be controlled under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 cylinders of isobutane refrigerant under 2711 13 97 00, invoiced at £1,800 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,600, so it is £720. 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

Identity: match the purchase specification, cylinder label and batch certificate; check the analysis distinguishes isobutane from other hydrocarbons.

Analysis: compare purity, moisture, non-condensable gases and residue with the agreed limits; arrange independent batch sampling through a laboratory experienced with pressurised gas.

Cylinders: check damage, corrosion, seals, caps, valve connections and net contents against the order and packing list.

Documents: match cylinder identifiers to conformity records and check the safety data sheet and supply labels before release. Use our inspection guide to write the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

An order described only as butane can arrive with the wrong hydrocarbon composition. Other failures include moisture or residue outside the agreed specification, a certificate covering a different batch, incompatible valves, underfilled cylinders and damage during handling.

Resolve the gas specification and cylinder documentation before shipment. Ask the carrier and receiving warehouse to review the proposed consignment before booking. Keep suspect batches out of sale or use while the supplier and an appropriate specialist 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.