Sourcing Methacrylic Acid from China

Methacrylic acid duty and purity conditions

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, methacrylic acid falls within heading 2916 under 2916 13 00 90. Its base duty for Chinese-origin goods is 6%, with a 0% suspension for methacrylic acid of at least 99% purity by weight. The snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for this line.

The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the substance. The tariff also attaches an export waste control. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; for recovered or off-specification material, confirm its status and the applicable requirements with your customs broker before shipment.

The table separates acid grades and related salts sharing these tariff lines; they are not interchangeable products. Confirm the commodity code using chemical identity, composition and purity evidence. For other acids and esters, see the wider heading guide.

Specify acid identity, purity and inhibitor

Specify methacrylic acid rather than methyl methacrylate or a methacrylate salt. Agree assay, water content, colour, inhibitor identity and content, test methods and acceptance criteria. Request a batch certificate of analysis and agree storage and transport conditions with the supplier.

For a new Great Britain import programme, check UK REACH responsibilities: HSE states that a GB-based legal entity importing a substance at or above 1 tonne per year must submit a registration. HSE also states that GB-based importers supplying the GB market fall within its classification, labelling and packaging regime. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require safety data sheets.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 tonne of methacrylic acid below 99% purity, without suspension under 2916 13 00 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,480. Duty at 6% is £208.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,688.80, so it is £737.76. Import taxes total £946.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £208.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase order, drum labels and batch analysis to methacrylic acid, not an ester or salt.

Analysis: compare assay, water, colour and inhibitor results against the agreed specification; retain a traceable sample for laboratory checks.

Packaging: check seals, closures, leaks and drum condition on arrival; record affected batches before accepting stock.

Documents: match batch references across the analysis certificate, safety data sheet, invoice and packing list; check the evidence supporting any suspension claim.

What goes wrong

An invoice saying only 'methacrylate' leaves the chemical identity unclear. A generic analysis certificate can hide a mismatch between the tested sample and delivered batch. Missing inhibitor results, contamination and damaged closures are reasons to hold acceptance and investigate.

A purity result below 99% does not support the acid's suspension, and a blend cannot be assumed to qualify merely because it contains methacrylic acid. Agree who supplies batch evidence and who checks the customs treatment before dispatch.

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.