Sourcing L-threonine from China

L-threonine duty and suspension

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2922 covers oxygen-function amino-compounds. Its named L-threonine line is 2922 50 00 25, with chemical identity 72-19-5. The table shows different purchasing uses of this same line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

For goods from China, the base duty is 6%, with an autonomous suspension at 0.00 %. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing L-threonine. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. It attaches an export waste control; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance if material is waste or will be returned overseas.

Give the broker the composition, chemical identity and intended use to confirm the commodity code and suspension eligibility. Do not assume a blended feed product has the same treatment. For the wider heading, see L-lysine hydrochloride.

Specify L-threonine identity and intended use

Specify L-threonine rather than an unspecified threonine product. Agree the assay method, reporting basis, moisture, related amino acids, particle size and packaging. Request a certificate of analysis for the actual batch, supported by test methods, rather than a typical specification sheet.

For use as a feed additive in Great Britain, the additive must be authorised before sale and used only for its authorised purpose. Match the supplier's material and proposed use to the relevant authorisation before ordering. A feed-grade description alone does not establish this.

For food use, agree the intended application and obtain a separate suitability assessment before purchasing. For other chemical uses, confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration or an exemption applies to the substance, annual import quantity and supply arrangement, rather than relying solely on the published background guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of unformulated L-threonine powder; illustrative FOB and freight values under 2922 50 00 25, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,480. Duty at 6% is £208.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,688.80, so it is £737.76. Import taxes total £946.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £208.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: have the laboratory confirm L-threonine identity against the agreed specification and check that the batch documents describe the same material.

Assay and impurities: compare batch results for assay, moisture and related amino acids with the agreed limits; resolve differences in test methods or reporting basis.

Packaging: check inner liners, seals, dry bags and powder condition on arrival; record tears, contamination, dampness and lumps before accepting stock.

Traceability: match bag labels, batch references, the packing list and the certificate of analysis; keep a retained sample linked to the delivered batch.

What goes wrong

A typical certificate can conceal a batch that differs from the approved sample. An assay without its reporting basis can also give a misleading comparison. Treat unexplained differences in identity, moisture or impurity results as reasons to hold the batch for investigation.

Another failure is buying solely against a feed-grade label without checking the authorised use. Adding carriers or other ingredients also changes the suspension question. Settle composition and end use before shipment, and investigate damaged bags or caked powder before releasing the 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.