Sourcing pitch and pitch coke from China

Zero duty on pitch and pitch coke

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 November 2026, heading 2708 covers pitch and pitch coke obtained from coal tar or other mineral tars. The supplied tariff data distinguishes high-temperature coal tar pitch, other pitch and pitch coke. The table shows pitch coke in different purchasing forms under the same commodity code.

Every listed line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. This describes the tariff entries, rather than confirming that a particular chemical can be supplied for any intended use.

Confirm the source material, chemical identity and whether the goods are pitch or pitch coke before choosing the commodity code. Petroleum coke and petroleum bitumen are covered separately in our petroleum coke and bitumen guide.

Specify pitch behaviour and coke composition

For pitch, specify the source tar, chemical identity, softening point, test method, ash, moisture, volatile matter and supplied form. For binder applications, agree the viscosity at the intended processing temperature and the insoluble fractions to be reported. A softening-point result without its test method is a weak basis for comparing suppliers.

For pitch coke, specify fixed carbon, sulphur, ash, volatile matter, moisture, particle-size distribution and fines. State whether analytical results are reported on a dry or as-received basis. Agree sampling, retained samples and the procedure for accepting or rejecting a batch.

For Great Britain, obtain specialist confirmation of the UK REACH registration, authorisation and restriction position for the exact substance and use. If the substance is on the authorisation list, check whether the intended use is exempt. Before placing imported chemicals on the market, check classification, labels and packaging. Request the safety data sheet alongside the batch analysis.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of pitch coke in bulk bags under 2708 20 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,800, so it is £5,160. 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 the producer, source tar, chemical description and batch references across the order, safety data sheet and certificate of analysis.

Pitch performance: compare softening point, insoluble fractions, ash and moisture against the agreed specification using the agreed methods.

Coke consistency: sample across the lot and check carbon, sulphur, ash, moisture, particle sizes and fines against the certificate.

Arrival condition: check broken bags, contamination, wet material, pitch agglomeration and net weight before releasing stock. Use our inspection guide to organise the checks.

What goes wrong

A supplier may describe different materials simply as pitch. An unsuitable softening point or insoluble fraction can upset binder processing. Coke can arrive with excessive ash, sulphur or fines, while moisture changes the delivered weight and makes dry-basis results look better than the material received.

A generic safety data sheet or analysis from a different batch leaves the buyer unable to match documents to stock. Resolve discrepancies before shipment, retain representative samples and agree how disputed results will be checked. Include the chemical compliance review before committing to an order.

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.