Sourcing para-phenylene diisocyanate from China
Pure para-phenylene diisocyanate from China carries 6% UK duty under the residual isocyanate line. The supplied record does not establish a suspension for it. Confirm your UK REACH registration requirements with HSE before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources para-phenylene diisocyanate.
Duty on para-phenylene diisocyanate
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2929 covers compounds with other nitrogen function. Pure para-phenylene diisocyanate fits the residual isocyanate description under 2929 10 00 90, subject to confirmation of the supplied material. Only this commodity line is relevant to the product covered here.
The Chinese-origin duty is 6%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The line also lists a 0% suspension restricted to named substances; the supplied information does not establish eligibility for para-phenylene diisocyanate. The tariff attaches an export control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control's relevance to your shipment.
Give your broker the chemical identity, composition and safety data sheet to confirm the commodity code. A formulated blend needs its own classification review. See the wider isocyanates guide for other substances and their suspensions.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure para-phenylene diisocyanate | 2929 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the para isomer and batch acceptance tests
Write out para-phenylene diisocyanate in the purchase specification rather than accepting a general phenylene diisocyanate description. Agree an identity test that distinguishes the para isomer, purity, isocyanate-group content, moisture, acidity, hydrolysable chlorine and insoluble material. Define the sampling method and acceptance criteria with your laboratory. Request a certificate of analysis tied to the production batch, plus agreed sealed packing, storage conditions and shelf life.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether your annual imports require UK REACH registration and whether coverage through an only representative is available. Registration is per substance and legal entity. Diisocyanates are respiratory and skin sensitisers; control workplace exposure and check chemical labels. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet. Information, instruction and training are required for work with substances hazardous to health.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A tonne of pure para-phenylene diisocyanate; illustrative order and values under 2929 10 00 90, invoiced at £44,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £48,000. Duty at 6% is £2,880. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £50,880, so it is £10,176. Import taxes total £13,056; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,880 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate, safety data sheet and package description to para-phenylene diisocyanate.
Laboratory: have a suitably equipped laboratory check identity, purity, isocyanate-group content, moisture and insolubles against the agreed specification.
Packing: check seals, liners, package damage and signs of moisture ingress before releasing the batch.
Traceability: match batch marks and quantities to the packing list, retain the analysis results and review the recorded storage conditions. Use the quality inspection guide to agree who records these checks.
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What goes wrong
A broad product name can conceal an incorrect isomer or a formulated material. A purity result alone does not establish identity. Moisture ingress can produce urea solids in isocyanates, so damaged seals and unexpected insoluble material deserve investigation before a process trial.
Another failure is budgeting for the residual line's suspension without checking its named-substance conditions. Keep the batch on hold when identity, analysis or packing differs from the agreed specification, and resolve the discrepancy with the producer and laboratory before use.
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 para-phenylene diisocyanate from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 6% under 2929 10 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm that code for your material.
Does para-phenylene diisocyanate qualify for the isocyanate duty suspension?
The supplied record does not establish relief for this substance. The residual line's suspension is restricted to named substances, so budget for 6% unless eligibility is confirmed.
Do I need UK REACH registration to import it?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether your annual imports require UK REACH registration and whether appropriate only-representative coverage is available. Resolve your registration position before ordering.
What should I put in the factory specification?
Specify the para isomer, an identity test, purity, isocyanate-group content, moisture, acidity, hydrolysable chlorine, insolubles, sealed packing and storage conditions, with batch-linked analysis.