Sourcing microcrystalline wax from China

Zero duty on relevant microcrystalline wax lines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 2712 covers microcrystalline petroleum wax alongside paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and other mineral waxes. The relevant lines shown carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded in the supplied tariff data.

Refined microcrystalline wax is covered by the residual other-waxes line 2712 90 99 90 in our published reference guide. The crude lines shown are alternatives to investigate for crude material and its intended processing, rather than interchangeable codes for refined wax. See the wider wax and petroleum jelly guide.

Confirm the commodity code using the composition, refining status and intended processing. Prepared waxes and blends with additives fall under heading 3404 in our published guide, so disclose additives rather than relying on the supplier's description of microcrystalline wax.

Specify the microcrystalline wax grade

Specify congealing or melting point, oil content, needle penetration, colour and odour, with agreed test methods and acceptance limits. State whether you need slabs or pellets and describe the intended formulation. Approve a sample in your own process and retain it for comparison with production batches.

For a substance you have not previously imported, consider whether UK REACH registration is required. Our published guide also advises checking registration when annual imports exceed one tonne. A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for use at work.

For a proposed food use, confirm with the Food Standards Agency whether microcrystalline wax is authorised for the intended application and which purity criteria apply, then check the supporting purity evidence. Agree application-specific evidence for cosmetic use rather than accepting a general grade label.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of microcrystalline wax slabs under 2712 90 99 90, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,800, so it is £5,160. 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

Analysis: match the batch certificate to the agreed oil content, congealing or melting point, penetration and colour limits; send a retained sample for independent testing.

Appearance: compare slabs or pellets with the approved sample, checking discolouration, dirt, fibres and uneven appearance.

Odour and performance: assess melted samples under agreed conditions and trial the wax in the intended formulation.

Packing and identity: check bag integrity, batch markings and delivered weights, then match the physical lot to its analysis certificate.

What goes wrong

An order described only as microcrystalline wax leaves hardness, oil content and colour open to substitution. A different grade can change the behaviour of your formulation; residual odour, yellowing and contamination can make otherwise usable material unsuitable for the intended product.

Hold batches that differ from the approved sample until the discrepancy is resolved. Agree sampling and acceptance checks before dispatch through the quality inspection guide, and keep the batch certificate with the arrival inspection record.

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.