Sourcing mercury compounds from China

Duty and controls on mercury compounds

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2852 covers inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, whether or not chemically defined, excluding amalgams. The supplied tariff file contains only the commodity lines shown here.

Both lines carry 0% duty on goods from China, with no listed trade remedies or suspensions. The tariff attaches waste import controls to both and a mercury import control to 2852 90 00 00. Confirm the mercury requirement with your customs broker. It also lists export controls for dangerous chemicals, mercury and waste; check these before arranging a return shipment.

Identify the compound, composition and intended use before confirming the commodity code. For waste from China, confirm whether import is permitted and which notification procedure applies. Waste subject to notification cannot ship until the authorities of dispatch, destination and transit have consented.

Specify chemical identity and intended use

Write the full chemical name, oxidation state, hydrate or solution form, assay, mercury content and impurity limits into the specification. For solutions, state the solvent and concentration. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis with the test methods, a safety data sheet and a clear description of the intended laboratory or industrial use.

Ask whether the material is newly manufactured, recovered or supplied as waste. Give that information to your broker before ordering. HMRC advises importers to check restrictions with the relevant departments before arranging imports. Review your UK REACH position alongside the product specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative laboratory reagent order of 25 grams, subject to import checks under 2852 10 00 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,980. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,980, so it is £596. 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

Identity: match the chemical name, oxidation state and physical form on the order, containers and batch certificate.

Analysis: compare assay, mercury content and agreed impurities with the specification; arrange independent verification of a sealed sample.

Packaging: inspect closures, seals, container compatibility and secondary containment for leakage or contamination.

Traceability: match batch references, quantities and shipping documents. Agree the checks through your inspection plan.

What goes wrong

An incomplete name can conceal a different oxidation state, hydrate or solution concentration. Certificates may omit the impurities relevant to your application, while loose closures or damaged containers can contaminate the delivery. Keep suspect containers isolated and agree handling with a competent specialist.

A duty-free tariff line does not settle the mercury or waste control. Obtain the broker's product-specific position before shipment rather than relying on a supplier's claim that laboratory use resolves every restriction. Exporting mercury compounds to reclaim mercury is prohibited, so do not assume an unwanted batch can simply be returned for recovery.

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.