Sourcing maleic anhydride from China
Maleic anhydride from China carries a flat 6% UK duty, with no suspension or trade remedy listed in the supplied tariff data. For Great Britain, check UK REACH registration obligations and arrange compliant chemical labels; confirm safety data sheet requirements, including language, with HSE. Cambridge China Bridge sources maleic anhydride.
Maleic anhydride duty and tariff controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, maleic anhydride under 2917 14 00 00 carries 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied line lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no tariff suspension. Heading 2917 covers polycarboxylic acids and their derivatives, including anhydrides.
The tariff attaches an export control for waste. Environment Agency guidance for England says waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For a consignment from China involving waste or disputed waste status, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements before shipment.
The supplied data contains only one maleic anhydride line. Confirm the chemical identity and composition using finding your commodity code. Other acids and esters are covered in the wider heading guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maleic anhydride | 2917 14 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify assay, moisture and resin suitability
Specify maleic anhydride by chemical identity, physical form and intended resin or polyester process. Agree acceptance limits and test methods for assay, acid value, colour, moisture, ash and iron. Ask for a batch-specific certificate of analysis and approve a sample in your own process before accepting bulk stock.
Maleic anhydride is a respiratory and skin sensitiser and needs compliant chemical labels. For Great Britain, confirm safety data sheet requirements, including language, and any UK REACH registration obligations with HSE before importing. Agree sealed packaging and handling arrangements before dispatch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of bagged maleic anhydride; values are illustrative under 2917 14 00 00, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,800. Duty at 6% is £1,668. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,468, so it is £5,893.60. Import taxes total £7,561.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,668 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and package description.
Batch testing: check assay, acid value, colour and moisture against the agreed limits; retain a sample from each accepted lot.
Packaging: inspect bag or drum seals for damage, moisture ingress, leakage and signs of contamination on arrival.
Documents: confirm English safety data sheets and compliant hazard labels, and match batch identifiers to the analysis certificates.
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What goes wrong
Moisture entering damaged packaging can hydrolyse the anhydride. Material that misses the agreed assay or colour specification can disrupt resin production or discolour the output. A generic analysis certificate leaves you unable to judge the delivered batch.
Missing labels leave the chemical documentation incomplete. If safety data sheets are available only in Chinese, confirm the applicable language requirements with HSE. Hold affected stock for assessment rather than blending it into accepted material. Use quality inspection guidance to agree checks and record defects before shipment.
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 maleic anhydride from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 6% for 2917 14 00 00, with no suspension or anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed.
Do I need UK REACH registration for maleic anhydride?
For Great Britain, confirm the UK REACH registration obligations applicable to your imports with HSE. Settle the registration position before committing to shipment.
What should a maleic anhydride certificate of analysis show?
Ask for batch-specific results against your agreed assay, acid value, colour, moisture, ash and iron specification, with the test methods identified.
Why does maleic anhydride packaging need careful inspection?
Moisture ingress can hydrolyse the anhydride. Check seals and damage, compare arrival test results with the agreed specification, and hold suspect stock for assessment.