Sourcing ortho-nitrophenol from China

Ordinary duty of 4%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 2908 covers halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols. Ortho-nitrophenol comes within the residual line 2908 99 00 00. The table describes buying specifications sharing that line, rather than separate commodity codes.

The supplied tariff snapshot gives 4% duty for goods from China under this line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. Suspensions for named halogenated phenols elsewhere in the heading do not establish relief for ortho-nitrophenol.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches dangerous-chemical export controls and waste export controls to this line. These entries are labelled as export controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm their applicability to the intended movement and any import requirements for goods from China. Confirm the substance identity and composition using finding your commodity code.

Specify the ortho isomer and impurity profile

Write ortho-nitrophenol explicitly on the enquiry, purchase order and batch documents. Specify the chemical identity, assay and test method, limits for para-nitrophenol and other impurities, moisture, melting range, appearance and physical form. Agree sealed packaging and a certificate of analysis for each batch.

For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether importing a substance at one tonne or more annually requires UK REACH registration, whether coverage through an only representative is available, and whether an exemption applies. Confirm the route before ordering. Also confirm whether a safety data sheet must be supplied before or at first delivery and when it needs updating.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small trial consignment of technical-grade ortho-nitrophenol under 2908 99 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,980. Duty at 4% is £159.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,139.20, so it is £827.84. Import taxes total £987.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £159.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare the order, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and package labels for the same ortho isomer.

Laboratory: independently check identity, assay, other nitrophenol isomers, moisture and melting range against the agreed methods.

Packaging: inspect seals, contamination, leakage and batch markings; ensure chemical labels and packaging meet the applicable Great Britain requirements before supply.

Traceability: match sampled material to the delivered batch and retain its analysis and inspection records. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A quotation saying only nitrophenol leaves the isomer unclear. A headline assay can also conceal an impurity profile unsuitable for your process. Require an identity test and named impurity results, then compare the delivered batch with the approved sample before releasing it for use.

Do not treat a reagent-grade description or a supplier's registration statement as proof that your specification or import route is covered. Check the batch evidence and registration arrangements separately. For the related isomer and wider heading context, see para-nitrophenol from China.

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.