Sourcing NPK fertiliser spikes from China
NPK fertiliser spikes from China carry 6% duty on the ordinary tablets-or-similar-forms line, rising to 6.50% for specified high-ammonium-nitrate formulations. Confirm the required nutrient declaration format with the relevant authority; animal-derived ingredients need separate import checks. Cambridge China Bridge sources NPK fertiliser spikes.
Duty on NPK fertiliser spikes
Heading 3105 covers compound mineral or chemical fertilisers and chapter goods in tablets or similar forms or packages with gross weight not exceeding 10 kg. For compressed fertiliser spikes, start by checking the tablets-or-similar-forms branch. The table shows the ordinary line and conditional high-ammonium-nitrate alternatives; the latter are not interchangeable codes for an ordinary NPK recipe.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the ordinary line 3105 10 00 90 carried 6% duty for goods from China; the specified high-ammonium-nitrate lines carried 6.50%. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension on these lines. The tariff attaches veterinary control concerning products of animal origin. Ask your customs broker to confirm its application to the complete formulation.
Provide the nutrient analysis, ammonium nitrate content, ingredient list, spike photographs and packaging details to confirm the commodity code. Do not select a bulk-granule code solely because the label says NPK. For the wider heading, see NPK, DAP and MAP fertilisers.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fertiliser spikes in tablets or similar forms, other | 3105 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Spikes: ammonium nitrate over 80%; phosphate and/or potash 3% to below 6% | 3105 10 00 30 | 6.5% | None |
| Spikes: ammonium nitrate over 80%; phosphate and/or potash 6% to below 9% | 3105 10 00 40 | 6.5% | None |
| Spikes: ammonium nitrate over 80%; phosphate and/or potash 9% to 12% | 3105 10 00 50 | 6.5% | None |
Specify the nutrient recipe and spike performance
Specify nitrogen, phosphate and potash declarations, nutrient sources, binder, coating, moisture, spike dimensions and mass, pack count and intended plants. Agree how insertion strength and nutrient release will be assessed under the intended growing conditions. Ask for evidence supporting feeding-duration claims, rather than accepting a description such as slow release.
For GB sale, confirm the required fertiliser nutrient declaration format with the relevant authority rather than relying solely on a translation of the Chinese label. The importer must arrange classification and labelling by someone scientifically competent and ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging. Obtain the complete formulation and safety data sheet before approving artwork.
If the recipe contains animal-derived material, ask APHA to assess the import route before ordering. For ready-to-use animal-origin fertilisers within its guidance, APHA requires prior authorisation, assesses permitted origin case by case and requires an establishment approved to export to Great Britain. Authorisation must accompany consignments from China; health certificates may also be required for particular processed components.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 retail packs of mineral NPK fertiliser spikes under 3105 10 00 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £690 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,190. Duty at 6% is £191.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,381.40, so it is £676.28. Import taxes total £867.68; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £191.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Nutrients: independently sample the production lot and compare nitrogen, phosphate and potash analysis with the agreed declarations. Check that the sample represents finished spikes, including binder and coating.
Strength and release: check dimensions, mass and insertion into the intended growing medium. Look for snapped tips, crumbling and dust; compare release performance with the approved sample under agreed conditions.
Packing: check pack counts, seals, moisture protection and crushed sticks on arrival. Open packs from different cartons and record dampness, swelling or sticks fused together.
Labels and traceability: match artwork, nutrient declarations and batch references to the analysis and shipping documents. Check that the feeding instructions match the tested product. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A spike can have the right shape but deliver the wrong nutrient dose because its mass, binder proportion or nutrient content has changed. Brittle sticks break during insertion; damp sticks soften or fuse inside packs. A coating or binder substitution can change release performance. Keep an approved sample and make formulation changes subject to written agreement.
Animal-derived ingredients can change the import paperwork even when the retail product looks unchanged. For animal by-product imports, notification through the official import system and entry through an approved border control post are required. Confirm the tariff's animal-origin entry document requirement and all product-specific conditions with your broker and APHA before shipping. Retail packaging alone does not establish that a formulation is permitted.
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 NPK fertiliser spikes from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 6% under 3105 10 00 90 and 6.50% for specified high-ammonium-nitrate alternatives, with no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension on these lines.
Can I simply translate the Chinese fertiliser label?
Do not rely solely on translating the Chinese label. Confirm the required nutrient declaration format for GB sale with the relevant authority. Check the nutrient declarations against the analysis and arrange competent chemical classification and labelling.
How do I check whether fertiliser spikes will break?
Test finished production spikes in the intended growing medium against an approved sample. Check insertion, tip breakage, crumbling and dust, then repeat the checks on arrival.
Can fertiliser spikes containing animal ingredients come from China?
Do not assume permission. Ask APHA to assess the recipe and origin. Its ready-to-use animal-origin fertiliser guidance requires prior authorisation and an approved exporting establishment; certificates may also be needed.