Oximes and hydrazine derivatives from China
Hydrazine and hydroxylamine derivatives from China, such as butanone oxime (MEKO), acetone oxime and agrochemical actives, have a 6% UK duty rate with no anti-dumping, but 14 of 22 lines are suspended to 0% until 2028, including MEKO, acetone oxime, cymoxanil and tebufenozide. UK REACH applies, and pesticide actives need GB approval.
Butanone oxime (MEKO), acetone oxime, hydroxylamine derivatives and hydrazine-based agrochemical actives from China: 6% UK duty, many 0% suspensions.
6% duty, most lines suspended
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 2928 covers organic derivatives of hydrazine or of hydroxylamine. N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)hydroxylamine carried 0% on goods from China and the other 21 lines 6%, with no anti-dumping measure.
Fourteen of those lines have a full 0% suspension to 31 December 2028: butanone oxime (MEKO), acetone oxime of 99% or more, pentan-2-one oxime, acetaldehyde oxime solution, N-isopropylhydroxylamine, 4-chlorophenylhydrazine hydrochloride, the agrochemical actives cymoxanil, metobromuron, tebufenozide, metaflumizone and cyflufenamid, and three other listed substances. The residual line is 0% only for named substances, such as daminozide of 99% or more and monomethylhydrazine in a specified form. Six listed lines, including daminozide of 97% purity and methoxyammonium chloride solution, pay 6%.
Suspensions are claimed on the declaration and do not cover mixtures, so formulated paints and pesticide products are classified elsewhere; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butanone oxime (MEKO) | 2928 00 90 70 | 6% (0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028) | None |
| Acetone oxime, 99% or more | 2928 00 90 18 | 6% (0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028) | None |
| Cymoxanil | 2928 00 90 13 | 6% (0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028) | None |
| Tebufenozide | 2928 00 90 45 | 6% (0% suspension to 31 Dec 2028) | None |
| Daminozide, 97% or more | 2928 00 90 63 | 6% | None |
| N,N-Bis(2-methoxyethyl)hydroxylamine | 2928 00 10 00 | 0% | None |
REACH, CLP and pesticide approval
A Great Britain importer of one tonne or more a year of a substance must register it under UK REACH, retained Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, or rely on an only representative, and every shipment needs a safety data sheet with the current GB CLP classification under retained Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008; check it carefully for butanone oxime, whose hazard classification has been reviewed in recent years.
Cymoxanil, metobromuron, tebufenozide, metaflumizone, cyflufenamid and daminozide are pesticide active substances. Plant protection products containing them can only be placed on the GB market with an authorisation under retained Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, so check the approval status of the active and the product before buying technical material.
Specifying oximes and actives
Specify the CAS number, assay, water content, colour, impurity limits (for MEKO: residual butanone and hydroxylamine), for actives the technical specification and relevant impurities, packing (drums, IBCs or bags), shelf life, and a certificate of analysis per lot.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 20 tonnes of butanone oxime (MEKO), commodity code 2928 00 90 70, bought for £60,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance, so £64,000 is the value customs works from. No duty is due on butanone oxime; import VAT at 20% of £64,000 is £12,800. If you are VAT-registered, that VAT is normally reclaimable. That assumes the suspension is claimed; without it the rate is 6%, which would add £3,840. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
Inspection checklist
Documents: check the certificate of analysis against the purity that decides the suspension, the English safety data sheet and the UK REACH route.
Laboratory: test an independent sample for assay by gas or liquid chromatography, water content and key impurities.
Packing: check drums are sealed, labelled with GB CLP pictograms and lot numbers, and suitable for any dangerous goods class on the safety data sheet.
What goes wrong
Oxime and active orders fail on purity, classification and approval. Assay falls short of the purity named in the suspension, safety data sheets carry an outdated classification, and technical actives arrive for a product that has no GB authorisation.
Agree the specification in writing, test independently, and check REACH and pesticide approval first. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources oximes and fine chemicals for UK paint, coatings and chemical makers, checking the producer's laboratory and quality records first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on MEKO from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, butanone oxime (2928 00 90 70) is 6%, suspended to 0% until 31 December 2028.
Is daminozide suspended?
Only at 99% purity or more under the residual line; the 97% daminozide line (2928 00 90 63) pays 6%.
Do pesticide actives need approval?
Yes. Plant protection products need GB authorisation under retained Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
Is there anti-dumping duty on these chemicals?
No. None of the 22 lines of heading 2928 carried an anti-dumping measure.