Sourcing phosphorous acid from China
Solid and aqueous phosphorous acid from China both carry 4% UK duty, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. For Great Britain, establish UK REACH coverage and the required safety data sheet, hazard labels and packaging before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources phosphorous acid.
Phosphorous acid duty and waste controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, phosphorous acid falls under 2811 19 80 60 within heading 2811, covering other inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals. The dedicated line covers solid and aqueous forms, also called phosphonic acid. The table repeats that line by form and name; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied tariff record shows 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension for this line. It attaches import and export waste controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the consignment is waste and which requirements apply. For waste entering England under notification controls, dispatch, destination and transit authorities must consent before shipment.
Give the broker the substance identity, composition, physical form and intended use to confirm the commodity code. Do not select another acid line merely because the supplier uses a different name. See the wider silica and inorganic acids guide for other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorous acid, solid | 2811 19 80 60 | 4% | None |
Specify phosphorous acid identity and assay
Write phosphorous acid explicitly in the purchase specification and distinguish it from phosphoric acid. Match the supplier's substance identity to the tariff description, which names chemical identifiers 13598-36-2 and 10294-56-1. Specify solid or aqueous form, acid assay, water content where relevant, and agreed limits for phosphoric acid, chloride, sulphate, iron and insoluble matter. Request a batch certificate of analysis with test methods.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE which UK REACH registration or transitional arrangements apply to your annual imports and whether an exemption is available. Confirm with HSE whether the importer or the manufacturer's UK only representative can provide coverage; see our UK REACH guide. Obtain an English safety data sheet where required. Before supply, check the applicable GB CLP labels and packaging.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of solid phosphorous acid; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 2811 19 80 60, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,440 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,440. Duty at 4% is £217.60. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,657.60, so it is £1,131.52. Import taxes total £1,349.12; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £217.60 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate, safety data sheet and container labels to phosphorous acid and the ordered physical form.
Assay: have a representative batch sample tested against the agreed acid content and impurity limits. Ask the laboratory to distinguish phosphorous acid from phosphoric acid rather than report total acidity alone.
Packaging: check seals, liners, closures, net weight and batch marks on arrival. Record wet bags, caking, leaks, staining or damaged containers before accepting the stock.
Documents: match the English safety data sheet and hazard labels to the actual composition. Check transport classification, packaging and shipment paperwork with the carrier before loading; use the inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A description saying only phosphorus acid leaves the chemical identity unclear. Other failure points include solution below the ordered concentration, impurity results missing from the certificate, solids arriving caked and leaking closures. Agree the analytical method and acceptance criteria before production, then compare the delivered batch with the approved sample.
A certificate of analysis establishes batch test results; it does not establish UK REACH coverage. Resolve the registration position, safety documentation and packaging before shipment. If a supplier offers spent or discarded acid, ask the broker to confirm the waste controls before treating it as an ordinary chemical purchase.
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 phosphorous acid from China?
The supplied tariff record, read on 1 October 2026, shows 4% for 2811 19 80 60, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Do solid phosphorous acid and its aqueous solution use the same code?
Yes. The supplied tariff line 2811 19 80 60 expressly covers solid and liquid aqueous forms, including the name phosphonic acid.
Does importing phosphorous acid require UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE which registration or transitional notification arrangements apply to your annual imports and whether an exemption is available. Ask HSE to confirm any manufacturer's UK only representative coverage.
What should I test before accepting phosphorous acid?
Check identity, acid assay and the agreed impurity limits against the batch certificate. For solutions, verify concentration; for solids, check water content where specified and inspect for caking or damaged packaging.