Sourcing N-butane refrigerant from China

N-butane refrigerant duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 2711 covers petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. Its liquefied butane lines are relevant to N-butane refrigerant. All the butane entries shown carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.

For an ordinary liquefied refrigerant order, start the classification check with 2711 13 97 00. The separate purity band is 2711 13 91 00. The process and chemical-transformation entries are included for comparison; do not select them simply because the gas will be used in refrigeration.

Confirm the commodity code using the composition, physical state and intended use. For wider heading context, see the isobutane refrigerant guide. The absence of an attached tariff control does not settle chemical or cylinder compliance.

Specify N-butane identity and cylinder supply

Specify N-butane explicitly rather than accepting a quotation for unspecified butane. Agree the assay, isobutane and other hydrocarbon content, moisture, sulphur compounds, non-volatile residue and whether any odorant is present. Ask for batch analysis with the test methods and detection limits. Confirm suitability with the equipment supplier before approving a sample.

Agree cylinder material, valve connection, net fill, tare marking, batch identification and the return or disposal arrangement. For new transportable pressure cylinders supplied directly from China onto the Great Britain market, check the required Rho conformity marking and supporting documents before ordering.

Ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position for your annual substance imports; registration is per substance and legal entity. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet; confirm the applicable classification and labelling requirements with HSE. Employers must assess workplace fire and explosion risks under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 sealed cylinders of N-butane refrigerant for a refrigeration wholesaler under 2711 13 97 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,800, so it is £1,160. 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

Identity: match the batch analysis to the order and use an independent laboratory to distinguish N-butane from isobutane and hydrocarbon blends.

Contamination: compare moisture, sulphur compounds and non-volatile residue with the agreed limits; retain a sealed batch sample through a competent sampling provider.

Cylinders: inspect for dents, corrosion, damaged valves and missing caps; check cylinder identification, conformity documents, tare and net fill against the packing list.

Paperwork: match the safety data sheet, hazard label and batch records to the supplied gas. Plan inspection and sampling around the workplace risk assessment. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

An unspecified butane quotation can lead to an isobutane-rich blend or fuel-grade material being supplied against a refrigerant order. A total hydrocarbon result alone does not establish N-butane identity. Moisture, odorant or oily residue can also leave a batch outside the agreed specification.

Correct gas analysis does not resolve damaged valves, incompatible connections or missing cylinder conformity evidence. Settle the gas specification and cylinder documentation before shipment, then reconcile the arrival batch with the approved records.

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.