Sourcing magnetite powder from China

Magnetite powder: 4% under the iron oxide line

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 2821 covers iron oxides and hydroxides and qualifying earth colours. Synthetic magnetite powder supplied as iron oxide falls within the relevant line, 2821 10 00 00, carrying 4% duty from China. The supplied tariff record contains no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For magnetite shipped from China as waste, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import procedure before dispatch. For notified waste entering England, shipment can begin only after the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved have consented. Confirm the destination requirements separately for other parts of the UK.

Natural iron oxides belong in heading 2530, while dispersions and granules containing binders may fall in chapter 32. Establish whether the powder is synthetic, natural or a preparation before confirming the commodity code. The iron oxide pigments guide covers the wider product family. Only the relevant iron oxide line is shown here.

Specify magnetite identity and magnetic response

State whether you need synthetic magnetite for pigmentation or an industrial powder selected for magnetic behaviour. Agree magnetite content, total iron, named impurities, particle size distribution, coarse residue, moisture and bulk density. Specify a magnetic response test with its method and sample preparation. A black appearance or attraction to a hand magnet is not a complete acceptance test.

For pigment use, approve a master sample and agree shade, tinting strength and dispersion checks in your actual formulation. Request a batch certificate of analysis and safety data sheet. Before selling in Great Britain, classification and labelling must be handled by someone scientifically competent. If this is a substance you have not previously imported, consider whether UK REACH registration is required.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of synthetic magnetite powder under 2821 10 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,200. Duty at 4% is £728. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,928, so it is £3,785.60. Import taxes total £4,513.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £728 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare independent composition and mineral phase results with the agreed magnetite specification and the factory's batch certificate.

Particle size: sample across bags, check the agreed size distribution and coarse residue, and record persistent agglomerates after the agreed dispersion procedure.

Performance: compare magnetic response with the approved sample using the same method; for pigment grades, compare shade and tinting strength in the intended formulation.

Packing: check moisture, bag seals, liners, net weights and batch identification on arrival. Before sale in Great Britain, ensure the substances are labelled and packaged correctly.

What goes wrong

A black powder can match the sample visually yet differ in magnetite content, magnetic response or coarse residue. Fillers and other iron oxide phases can undermine the agreed performance. Moisture and compacted lumps can make dosing and dispersion inconsistent. Keep a retained sample from each accepted batch and agree the investigation method before ordering.

A supplier's description of natural mineral powder, synthetic oxide or recovered residue can also lead to a different customs or waste position. Obtain the manufacturing route and material origin alongside the composition report. Resolve ambiguous descriptions before shipment rather than relying on the invoice name.

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.