Sourcing itaconic acid from China

Itaconic acid duty and suspension

Heading 2917 covers polycarboxylic acids and related derivatives. Itaconic acid, chemical registry number 97-65-4, has the specific line 2917 19 80 70. Only this line in the supplied tariff file describes itaconic acid itself, so the table contains that line alone. For other acids and esters, see the wider heading guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, itaconic acid from China has a 6% base duty and an autonomous suspension to 0%. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing different components. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. It attaches an export waste control; confirm its relevance with your customs broker, particularly if returning rejected material.

Match the chemical identity and composition to the commodity code before shipment. Do not assume an itaconate ester or formulated product belongs under the acid's line. The illustrative order uses the reference guide's example values rather than a supplier quotation; confirm the suspension before using the base rate in a duty calculation.

Specify identity, assay and process suitability

Specify itaconic acid rather than an itaconate ester. Agree assay, moisture, colour, ash, insoluble matter and the test methods used to assess them. Request a batch certificate of analysis and a representative sample. Trial that sample in your intended resin or coating process before accepting the production grade.

Agree sealed inner liners, outer packaging, batch identification and storage instructions. GB importers must classify, label and package chemicals under the applicable classification rules before placing them on the market. Check UK REACH registration responsibilities against annual imports, including whether the supplier's appointed representative covers your supply. A hazardous chemical supplied for workplace use requires a safety data sheet.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of bagged itaconic acid; values reused from the reference example under 2917 19 80 70, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,800. Duty at 6% is £1,668. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,468, so it is £5,893.60. Import taxes total £7,561.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,668 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase order, bag labels and batch certificate to itaconic acid and the agreed chemical identity.

Batch results: check assay, moisture, colour and insoluble matter against the agreed limits and methods; retain a sample for comparison.

Packaging: inspect liners, closures and bags for damage, wet patches, contamination and caking before releasing the stock.

Documents: reconcile batch identifiers, certificate results, classification information, labels and any required safety data sheet.

What goes wrong

A sample can meet the specification while the shipped batch differs in assay, moisture or colour. Caked material can be difficult to charge consistently, and insoluble contamination can interfere with processing. Hold questionable bags separately and test the affected batch before use.

An ester or formulated blend can be described loosely as itaconic acid, leading to the wrong tariff line or an unsupported suspension claim. A certificate without a matching batch identifier cannot establish the quality of the delivered material.

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.