Sourcing paraformaldehyde from China
Paraformaldehyde from China carries 4% UK import duty, with no suspension or trade remedy listed in the supplied tariff data. Before supplying it in Great Britain, ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging and check UK REACH registration responsibilities. Cambridge China Bridge sources paraformaldehyde.
Paraformaldehyde duty and commodity code
Heading 2912 covers aldehydes, cyclic polymers of aldehydes and paraformaldehyde. Paraformaldehyde has the dedicated code 2912 60 00 00. The table shows purchasing descriptions under this same code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. The wider aldehyde guide covers neighbouring products.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, paraformaldehyde from China carries 4% duty. The supplied data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It 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, particularly for rejected material or returns.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual composition and product description. Do not apply the formaldehyde suspension to a paraformaldehyde order. Check the UK REACH importer guidance and confirm with HSE which registration responsibilities apply to the substance and your annual imports.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraformaldehyde powder | 2912 60 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify assay, moisture and particle form
Specify paraformaldehyde by chemical identity, intended process and physical form. Agree assay and its test method, moisture, particle size, acceptable fines and any impurity checks your process needs. Ask the factory to state whether assay is reported on an as-received or dry basis.
Agree a batch certificate of analysis and a retained sample. For a process that dissolves the material, agree a sample trial using your intended preparation method and acceptance criteria before approving bulk supply.
For supply in Great Britain, chemical suppliers are responsible for correct labelling and packaging before placing substances on the market. A safety data sheet is required for a hazardous chemical supplied for use at work. Review the documents against the actual supplied grade.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of paraformaldehyde under 2912 60 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,700. Duty at 4% is £148. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,848, so it is £769.60. Import taxes total £917.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £148 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and package description to paraformaldehyde.
Batch results: check assay, moisture and agreed impurities using the specified methods; investigate results reported on a different basis.
Physical condition: inspect sealed packages for damage, moisture ingress, caking and excessive fines against the approved sample.
Traceability: match batch marks on packages to the analysis certificate and retain representative samples using an agreed safe sampling procedure.
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What goes wrong
A purchasing specification that says only paraformaldehyde leaves assay basis, moisture and particle form unresolved. A batch may meet the stated assay yet fail your preparation trial or handling criteria. Resolve those points with a sample and written acceptance criteria.
Other failure points include damaged closures, unmatched batch certificates and chemical documents copied from a different grade. Hold discrepant stock pending investigation. Do not automatically return rejected material to China: confirm whether it is waste and ask your broker to check the applicable controls.
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 paraformaldehyde from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 4% for 2912 60 00 00, with no suspension, anti-dumping duty or countervailing duty listed.
Does the formaldehyde duty suspension cover paraformaldehyde?
No suspension is listed for paraformaldehyde in the supplied data. Use its dedicated commodity code rather than the formaldehyde line.
What should a paraformaldehyde specification include?
Include assay and its reporting basis, moisture, particle form, fines, agreed impurities and test methods. Confirm suitability through a sample trial in your intended process.
Do I need a safety data sheet to supply paraformaldehyde?
A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work. Check that it describes the actual supplied grade and matches the package information.