Sourcing monocalcium phosphate from China

Monocalcium phosphate: 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 2835 covers phosphinates, phosphonates, phosphates and polyphosphates. Monocalcium phosphate belongs within other phosphates of calcium, 2835 26 00 00, carrying 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on this line. The table shows buying specifications within the same commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches veterinary control and import waste control to this line, and also lists an export waste control. Confirm the veterinary requirement for the actual Chinese product with your customs broker before shipment, supported by a declaration of its source materials. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. If buying recovered or off-specification material from China, confirm the applicable import waste procedure with your broker before ordering.

Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition, grade and intended use. Do not use the dicalcium phosphate line merely because the supplier calls both products calcium phosphate. See dicalcium phosphate and the wider heading for comparison.

Specify monocalcium phosphate by grade and composition

State whether the order is for food, feed or technical use, and whether you need powder or granules. Agree the chemical identity, hydrate form, calcium and phosphorus content, moisture, particle size and insoluble material. Ask the factory to state whether the product is pure monocalcium phosphate or a mixture containing other calcium phosphates.

For food-grade calcium phosphates, confirm the applicable additive purity criteria, including any limits on arsenic, lead and fluoride, with the Food Standards Agency. Obtain a batch certificate of analysis and agree independent testing against the intended specification. For feed sales in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, settle the establishment's registration or approval with the local authority. Agree lined bags, batch identification and dry storage before shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of feed-grade monocalcium phosphate under 2835 26 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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 product name, grade, hydrate form and factory batch to the order and certificate of analysis.

Analysis: sample across bags and check calcium, phosphorus, moisture, fluoride, arsenic and lead against the agreed specification; record the test methods.

Physical condition: check particle size, hard lumps, foreign material and mixing performance in the buyer's process.

Packing: check liners, seals, bag weights, batch markings and signs of water ingress. Agree sampling coverage through the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A calcium phosphate description can conceal substitution with dicalcium phosphate or a mixed product. A generic certificate may describe a different batch, and technical grade may be offered against a food-grade order. Resolve identity and grade through batch-specific analysis before accepting the shipment.

Moisture ingress can leave caked powder that feeds poorly into dosing equipment. A satisfactory assay alone does not establish usable particle size or performance. Keep a reference sample, agree acceptance criteria and test the material in the intended process before committing to repeat orders.

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.