Sourcing lab filter papers from China
Laboratory filter papers cut to shape under 4823 20 00 00 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy. For virgin wood-pulp paper, confirm applicable timber due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority before first placing it on the Great Britain market. Specify retention, flow and ash content. Cambridge China Bridge sources laboratory filter papers.
Duty on cut laboratory filter papers
Heading 4823 covers paper and related articles cut to size or shape. Its filter paper and paperboard line is 4823 20 00 00. The table shows different laboratory formats sharing that commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, the filter paper line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is 20%.
Confirm the commodity code using the material, dimensions and supplied format. Do not assume that uncut stock and finished laboratory discs share a classification. For related filtration products, see paper pulp filter sheets and pads.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative laboratory filter paper, cut to shape | 4823 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify retention, flow and analytical cleanliness
State whether the paper is for qualitative separation or quantitative analysis. Specify particle retention, filtration speed, thickness, diameter, wet strength and the liquids used. Agree the test method and acceptance criteria with the factory; a supplier grade name alone does not establish equivalence to your current paper.
For quantitative work, specify ash content and request batch results. For sensitive analysis, agree extractables and blank-test performance. Obtain samples in the intended flat or folded format and trial them with your funnel and actual method before approving production.
The UK Timber Regulations cover pulp and paper among a broad range of timber products. For paper made from virgin wood pulp, confirm with the relevant authority whether the business first placing it on the Great Britain market must carry out timber due diligence. Ask for pulp source, tree species and country of harvest. Confirm whether any exception applies to bamboo-based or recovered waste or scrap products rather than relying solely on the site's published paper guides.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50,000 laboratory filter papers, illustrative order under 4823 20 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,200, so it is £1,040. 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
Dimensions: check diameter, shape, thickness and folded fit against the approved sample.
Performance: compare retention, flow and wet integrity using the agreed test liquid and method.
Cleanliness: check ash results where specified, analytical blanks, loose fibres and visible contamination.
Packing: check grade and batch identification, pack counts, dry sealed wrapping and transit damage. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.
What goes wrong
Paper with the right diameter can still give slow filtration, let fine particles through or tear when wet. Substituting a different pulp or treatment can change analytical blanks and ash residue. Compare production-batch samples with the approved paper rather than accepting a matching grade description.
Damp packs, bent discs and poorly formed folds can cause handling problems or poor funnel seating. Agree protective packing and keep batch records so a failed laboratory result can be traced to the supplied paper.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on laboratory filter papers from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% for filter paper and paperboard under 4823 20 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT is 20%.
Can I replace a branded laboratory filter paper with a Chinese grade?
Compare retention, flow, wet strength and analytical performance using your own method. Approve a tested sample and agree batch acceptance criteria rather than relying on a grade-name comparison.
What should I ask for when buying quantitative filter paper?
Specify ash content, retention and filtration speed, with agreed test methods. Request batch results and trial the paper in your analytical procedure.
Do laboratory filter papers need timber due diligence?
For virgin wood-pulp paper first placed on the Great Britain market, confirm applicable timber due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority. Ask for pulp source, species and harvest country; confirm whether any exception applies to bamboo-based or recovered waste or scrap products.