Sourcing lignosulphonates from China
Residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulp from China, such as sodium and calcium lignosulphonates used as concrete admixtures, dispersants, binders and feed pellet binders, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 3804, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers check lignosulphonate content, reducing sugars, pH, moisture, solubility and the grade for the intended use.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 3804 covers residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, the sodium lignosulphonate line also under a 0% suspension, with no anti-dumping measure.
Lignin itself and other products may be classified elsewhere; confirm the commodity code from the product.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium lignosulphonate | 3804 00 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other residual lyes and lignosulphonates | 3804 00 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specifying lignosulphonates
Specify the salt (sodium, calcium, magnesium), lignosulphonate content, reducing sugars, pH, moisture, insolubles, and powder or liquid form. For animal feed binding use, the product must meet feed rules and the conditions of the applicable feed additive authorisation, so ask for the feed-grade documents; for concrete, ask for performance data in your mix.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of sodium lignosulphonate powder under 3804 00 00 10, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,800, so it is £2,160. 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
Analysis: check lignosulphonate content, sugars and moisture.
Trial: test in your concrete, binder or process.
Packing: check bags or IBCs and caking. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Lignosulphonate orders fail on grade and consistency. Sugar content varies and affects setting in concrete, powder cakes in damp storage, and industrial grade is supplied for feed use.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on sodium lignosulphonate from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, lignosulphonates under heading 3804 carried 0% from China.
What are lignosulphonates used for?
Concrete admixtures, dispersants, binders, dust suppression and feed pellet binding.
Can lignosulphonate be used in animal feed?
Only a grade that meets feed rules and the conditions of the applicable feed additive authorisation; ask for the feed documents.
Why do sugars matter?
Reducing sugars affect performance, for example setting time in concrete.