Sourcing lithium bromide from China
Lithium bromide from China carries 0% to 4% UK duty: the suspension covers purity above 99% by weight, excluding mixtures and preparations. Check the actual composition, UK REACH position and applicable hazard labels before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources lithium bromide.
Lithium bromide duty and the purity suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, lithium bromide falls within the other bromides and bromide oxides line, 2827 59 00 00, under heading 2827. The standard duty for goods from China is 4%. A 0% autonomous suspension applies to lithium bromide with purity by weight of more than 99%, but excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing it. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for this line.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For spent or discarded lithium bromide from China, confirm the applicable import requirement with your customs broker before shipment; do not assume the ordinary chemical declaration settles the waste control.
The table shows buying descriptions sharing the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes. Confirm the composition, physical form and suspension eligibility through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see calcium and magnesium chloride.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium bromide, purity above 99% | 2827 59 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify lithium bromide assay and supplied form
Specify whether you want solid lithium bromide or an aqueous solution, the assay basis, water content, impurity limits and intended process. For absorption equipment, agree the solution concentration, any inhibitor package and the equipment supplier's acceptance specification. Ask the factory to identify additives explicitly rather than quoting lithium bromide content alone.
Agree the analytical method and request a batch certificate of analysis showing actual results. A solution concentration and a dry-substance purity result answer different questions. Neither a grade name nor an application description establishes eligibility for the tariff suspension.
Confirm with HSE whether your substance imports need UK REACH registration, qualify for a transitional notification route or are exempt. Arrange an English safety data sheet and applicable GB chemical hazard labels where required. Chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet if hazardous. Before sale in Great Britain, ensure the substance or mixture is correctly labelled and packaged.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of drums of solid lithium bromide outside the suspension under 2827 59 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £540 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,540. Duty at 4% is £381.60. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,921.60, so it is £1,984.32. Import taxes total £2,365.92; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £381.60 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate, safety data sheet and drum markings to lithium bromide and the supplied form.
Assay: compare independent sample results with the agreed lithium bromide content, water content and impurity limits; record the analytical basis.
Solution: check concentration, clarity, sediment and declared additives against the approved specification, where buying an aqueous product.
Packaging: check seals, closures, liners, leakage, net contents and legible batch identification before releasing the lot.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes purity on a dry basis while the buyer expects lithium bromide content as supplied. An aqueous product or inhibited formulation is then priced as though it automatically qualifies for the suspension. Obtain the full composition and broker confirmation before treating the order as duty-free.
Other rejection points include assay outside the contract, undeclared additives, sediment in solution and damaged drum closures. Agree sampling and acceptance criteria before production, retain a batch sample and investigate discrepancies before using the material in your equipment.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on lithium bromide from China?
The standard duty is 4%. A 0% suspension applies to lithium bromide above 99% purity by weight, excluding mixtures and preparations. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for the line.
Does lithium bromide solution qualify for the duty suspension?
Do not assume it does. The suspension requires purity above 99% by weight and excludes mixtures and preparations. Give your broker the complete composition and supplied form.
What should I specify when buying lithium bromide?
Specify solid or solution, assay basis, water content, impurity limits, additives, analytical method and packaging. For equipment use, agree the acceptance specification with the equipment supplier.
What should I check when lithium bromide arrives?
Match batch identity and documents, test assay against the contract and inspect seals and leakage. For solutions, check concentration, sediment and declared additives before use.