Sourcing molybdenum carbide powder from China

UK duty on molybdenum carbide powder

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2849 covers carbides, whether or not chemically defined. Molybdenum carbide powder falls within 2849 90 50 90. The powder descriptions in the table share this tariff line; they are purchasing specifications rather than separate commodity lines.

The supplied record shows 4% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, and no suspension. It attaches import and export waste controls. For waste powder from China imported into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker before ordering recovered or spent powder.

Confirm the composition and presentation using finding your commodity code, especially for powder containing binders or other additives. For related products within the wider heading, see titanium carbide powder.

Specify phase identity, carbon and particle size

Specify molybdenum carbide powder by intended process and agreed phase composition. Ask for phase identification by X-ray diffraction, molybdenum content, total and free carbon, oxygen and named metallic impurities. Agree test methods and acceptance limits before approving a sample; a purity statement alone does not describe the powder adequately.

Define the particle-size distribution and measurement method, including how agglomerates are dispersed before measurement. Agree whether the powder is supplied untreated or with additives, together with sealed packaging, batch identification and a certificate of analysis tied to the delivered lot.

Substances placed on the Great Britain market must be classified and labelled under its chemical classification rules. Before importing, confirm your UK REACH registration position with HSE, including how annual imports and any only representative coverage affect your obligations. See UK REACH for importers.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 kg of molybdenum carbide powder; values are hypothetical under 2849 90 50 90, invoiced at £1,300 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,600. Duty at 4% is £64. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,664, so it is £332.80. Import taxes total £396.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £64 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare the delivered batch's phase-identification report with the approved sample and agreed composition.

Chemistry: independently check total carbon, free carbon, oxygen and specified impurities against the batch certificate.

Particle size: test representative samples using the agreed dispersion procedure; record agglomeration as well as the measured distribution.

Packing and documents: check seals, moisture, batch labels and the correspondence between containers, certificates and safety information. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.

What goes wrong

Watch for a certificate that reports molybdenum content but omits phase identity, free carbon or oxygen. Powder can match a headline purity claim while differing from the approved sample in composition or particle-size distribution. Damp packaging and hard agglomerates are further reasons to hold a batch for testing.

Avoid accepting a retained supplier sample as proof of the shipped lot. Take representative arrival samples, retain sealed material for comparison and trial the powder in your intended process before releasing the batch. Keep disputed material separate while the supplier explains the results.

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.