Sourcing Phenethyl Alcohol from China

Phenethyl alcohol duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, phenethyl alcohol with purity by weight of 95% or more falls under 2906 29 00 85 within heading 2906. The Chinese-origin duty is 0%, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension on this line. Import VAT is normally 20%. The table includes related classification comparisons, which are not interchangeable materials.

The tariff attaches export controls for dangerous chemicals and waste. These are labelled export controls; confirm their relevance to your transaction with your customs broker. Chemicals listed under the prior informed consent scheme must comply with that scheme when imported into Great Britain. Waste shipments into England must follow waste shipment controls. Ask the broker to confirm any requirement for the actual goods from China, especially recovered or waste material.

Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity, purity and full composition. Do not automatically use the named line for a diluted fragrance preparation. For related materials within the wider heading, see benzyl alcohol.

Specify purity, odour and intended use

Identify phenethyl alcohol by its substance name and identity number 60-12-8. Agree the intended application, assay method, acceptable impurity profile, water content, colour and odour against an approved sample. Request a batch certificate of analysis with actual results. A general fragrance-grade description does not define acceptance criteria.

Importers are responsible for chemical classification. Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration is required for your substance and annual import volume; confirm who covers any required registration before committing to supply. Registration is per substance and per legal entity. A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for workplace use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of sealed drums of phenethyl alcohol under 2906 29 00 85, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,000, so it is £800. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match drum labels, invoice and batch certificate to phenethyl alcohol, rather than benzyl alcohol or a fragrance blend.

Assay: compare batch results and the chromatogram with the agreed purity, water and impurity specification; retain a sealed sample.

Appearance and odour: compare colour and odour with the approved reference under controlled laboratory handling conditions.

Packaging: check seals, leaks, drum condition, batch identification and net weight; reconcile delivered batches with their certificates.

What goes wrong

An assay result can meet the agreed purity while the odour still differs from the approved sample. Set separate odour and impurity acceptance criteria. Other rejection risks include coloured material, contamination from reused drums and certificates that describe a sample rather than the shipped batch.

Confusing phenethyl alcohol with benzyl alcohol, or supplying a blend against a neat-material order, creates both formulation and classification problems. Hold discrepant material for investigation before use. Check the shipped batch against the purchase specification rather than accepting the supplier's product name alone.

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.