Sourcing NK fertiliser blends from China
NK fertiliser blends from China carry UK duty from 2% to 6.50% across the relevant ordinary blend lines. Nitrogen content, ammonium nitrate content and pack size determine the code. Confirm applicable nutrient declarations and labelling for sale in Great Britain with the relevant fertiliser authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources NK fertiliser blends.
NK blend duty depends on nitrogen and packing
Heading 3105 covers compound and other fertilisers. This guide concerns blends supplying nitrogen and potassium without phosphorus as a fertilising element. Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, ordinary bulk NK blends carried 6% duty when nitrogen exceeded 10% on the dry anhydrous product, and 2% otherwise. Relevant solid blends with ammonium nitrate exceeding 80% carried 6.50%. Other fertilisers in packages of gross weight not exceeding 10 kg carried 6%.
The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The bulk lines show no attached import control. The UK Trade Tariff attaches Veterinary control to the small-pack line; the importer should confirm its application and the requirement for the actual China-origin formulation with their customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the full nutrient analysis, ammonium nitrate content, physical form and gross pack weight. Do not classify from the supplier's blend name alone. Our NP fertiliser blends guide provides related coverage within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other NK blends, nitrogen exceeding 10% on the dry anhydrous product | 3105 90 20 90 | 6% | None |
| Other NK blends, nitrogen not exceeding 10% on the dry anhydrous product | 3105 90 80 90 | 2% | None |
| Solid NK fertiliser, ammonium nitrate over 80%, potash 3% to below 6% | 3105 90 20 40 | 6.5% | None |
| Solid NK fertiliser, ammonium nitrate over 80%, potash 6% to below 9% | 3105 90 20 50 | 6.5% | None |
| Other NK fertilisers in packages of gross weight not exceeding 10 kg | 3105 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify nitrogen forms, soluble potash and granules
Specify total nitrogen and its nitrate, ammoniacal and ureic forms, water-soluble potash, chloride, moisture and the agreed granule size distribution. State whether the order is a physical blend or a chemically produced compound. For chloride-sensitive crops, agree the potassium source and a tested chloride specification.
Confirm the applicable Great Britain fertiliser marketing route, prescribed types, nutrient declarations, tolerances and labelling with the relevant fertiliser authority. Agree the applicable route and bag declaration before printing. For high-nitrogen ammonium nitrate materials, confirm whether a detonation resistance test is required before supply; check the safety data sheet and transport classification before booking freight.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of NK fertiliser blend in 25 kg bags under 3105 90 20 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 6% is £690. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,190, so it is £2,438. Import taxes total £3,128; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £690 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: independently sample the lot and compare total nitrogen, nitrogen forms, water-soluble potash, chloride and moisture with the purchase specification and bag declaration.
Blend consistency: compare samples from different bags and loading stages for nutrient variation, granule size, dust and separation. Check crushing strength against the agreed specification.
Packing: check liners, closures, seams, bag weights and pallet wrapping. On arrival, photograph torn bags, damp patches and hard caking before moving the stock.
Documents: match batch identifiers across bags, analysis reports and delivery documents. For relevant ammonium nitrate material, check that the detonation resistance certificate covers the production batch.
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What goes wrong
Different granule sizes or densities can separate during handling, leaving individual bags or spreader loads with the wrong nutrient balance. Moisture causes caking, weak granules create dust, and an unexpected potassium source can raise chloride above the agreed specification.
A supplier's generic analysis or translated bag artwork may miss the actual formulation or required declarations. Approve the specification and artwork, sample the shipment independently, and compare arrival samples with retained shipment samples. Use our quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
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 NK fertiliser blends from China?
Ordinary bulk NK blends pay 6% above 10% nitrogen on the dry anhydrous product and 2% otherwise. Relevant high-ammonium-nitrate solid lines pay 6.50%; other small-pack fertilisers pay 6%. Confirm the exact code.
Can I use the Chinese fertiliser label in Great Britain?
Do not rely on a translated label alone. Confirm the applicable Great Britain fertiliser marketing route, product type and nutrient declaration requirements with the relevant fertiliser authority before approving the label.
Does an NK blend containing ammonium nitrate need testing?
For high-nitrogen ammonium nitrate materials, confirm with the relevant fertiliser authority whether a detonation resistance test is required before supply. Check the formulation and that any relevant certificate covers the production batch before shipping.
How do I stop an NK blend separating in transit?
Agree compatible granule sizes, crushing strength and moisture specifications. Sample across bags and loading stages, check nutrient consistency, and inspect for dust, caking and damaged packing on arrival.