Sourcing niobium carbide powder from China
Niobium carbide powder from China carries 4% UK duty under the other-carbides line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. Before supplying it in Great Britain, ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging and check UK REACH coverage. Cambridge China Bridge sources niobium carbide powder.
UK duty on niobium carbide powder
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2849 covers carbides, whether or not chemically defined. Niobium carbide powder falls within the other-carbides description, 2849 90 90 00, carrying 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The comparison rows identify neighbouring carbide powders, not alternative codes for niobium carbide.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For a shipment from China to England that falls under waste notification controls, shipping can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control requirements for your powder, particularly reclaimed or residual material.
Confirm the composition and product form through finding your commodity code. For neighbouring carbide classifications, see titanium carbide powder.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niobium carbide powder, other carbides | 2849 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Titanium carbide powder, for comparison | 2849 90 50 90 | 4% | None |
| Tantalum carbide powder, for comparison | 2849 90 50 10 | 4% | None |
| Tungsten carbide powder, for comparison | 2849 90 30 00 | 4% | None |
Specify niobium carbide chemistry and particle size
State that the material is niobium carbide powder, and identify any intentional additives or mixed carbides. Agree niobium content, total carbon, free carbon, oxygen and metallic impurity limits. Request a batch-specific certificate of analysis and agree the analytical methods before approving the sample.
Specify the particle-size distribution and measurement method rather than accepting a description such as fine powder. Agree how the laboratory will disperse agglomerates, and record bulk density, moisture acceptance and packaging. Trial the approved powder in your intended mixing and sintering process before accepting production material.
Check UK REACH coverage: confirm with HSE which registration responsibilities apply to your imports and whether coverage through an only representative is appropriate. Before supplying the powder in Great Britain, ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging. Ask for an English safety data sheet to support your handling review.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of niobium carbide powder for production trials under 2849 90 90 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 4% is £1,300. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,800, so it is £6,760. Import taxes total £8,060; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,300 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the powder description, declared composition and batch identifier across the purchase order, containers and analysis certificate.
Chemistry: independently check niobium, total carbon, free carbon, oxygen and agreed impurities against the approved specification.
Particle size: test samples from different containers using the agreed dispersion and measurement method; check for coarse particles and persistent agglomerates.
Packaging: check seals, liners, moisture damage and powder leakage; retain a labelled sample from the delivered batch. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
A purity statement alone can conceal a different carbon balance or unwanted metallic contamination. An average particle size can hide a coarse tail, while different sample preparation can make laboratory results appear inconsistent. Treat mixed carbide powders and added binders as changes requiring review rather than accepting them as equivalent material.
If the delivered batch differs from the approved sample, hold it separately and compare retained samples using the same test methods. Agree acceptance criteria and the response to failed chemistry, sizing or packaging checks before shipment.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on niobium carbide powder from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 4% under 2849 90 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Do I need UK REACH registration for niobium carbide powder?
Check your annual imports of the substance. Before ordering, confirm with HSE your UK REACH registration responsibilities and whether an only representative covers your imports.
What should a niobium carbide powder specification include?
Specify niobium, total and free carbon, oxygen, impurities, particle-size distribution and test methods. Identify additives and agree packaging and batch evidence.
Does a factory analysis certificate prove the powder is suitable?
Use it as batch evidence, then verify agreed chemistry and particle size independently and trial the powder in your own process.