Sourcing manganese ore from China
Manganese ores and concentrates from China pay 0% UK duty under the single code 2602 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. They are bought on manganese content and impurity limits, so the contract rests on the assay, the moisture, the size grading and who samples the lot. Manganese metal is a different heading.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2602 covers manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores with a manganese content of 20% or more. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Manganese metal is chapter 81, covered in our manganese metal guide; confirm the commodity code from the assay.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese ores and concentrates | 2602 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Buying on the assay
Specify the manganese content, the iron, silica, phosphorus and other impurity limits, moisture, size grading (lump or fines) and packing. Agree how the lot is sampled, which laboratory assays it, and how the price adjusts if the assay differs from the specification.
Ask for the safety data sheet, because ore dust needs handling controls at the receiving site.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 25 tonnes of manganese ore fines in bulk bags under 2602 00 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,000, so it is £1,800. 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
Assay: sample at loading under an agreed method and test at an independent laboratory.
Moisture and grading: measure moisture and screen samples against the size specification.
Weight and packing: witness weighing and check bags for damage and marking. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Ore orders fail on grade, moisture and weight. The manganese content is below the certificate, wet material adds paid-for weight, fines exceed the grading, and bags split in transit.
Cambridge China Bridge sources minerals for UK users with sampling, assay and weighing agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on manganese ore from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, manganese ores and concentrates under 2602 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is manganese metal in the same heading?
No. Manganese metal is classified in chapter 81, not heading 2602.
How is manganese ore priced?
On manganese content and impurities, so agree the sampling, the laboratory and the price adjustment for the assay.
Why does moisture matter?
Water adds weight you pay for, so measure it at loading and agree how it is deducted.