Sourcing PK fertiliser blends from China
PK fertiliser blends from China carry 2% UK duty under the phosphorus-and-potassium line, or 6% in small packs. Before sale in Great Britain, confirm the applicable fertiliser-type and nutrient-declaration requirements with the relevant authority. Specify phosphate solubility, potash content and packing. Cambridge China Bridge sources PK fertiliser blends.
2% for the PK line, 6% for small packs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, mineral or chemical fertilisers containing phosphorus and potassium carried 2% duty under 3105 60 00 00. Heading 3105 covers mixed-nutrient and other fertilisers. Chapter goods in packages of gross weight not exceeding 10 kg fall within the small-pack provision; the relevant other line, 3105 10 00 90, carries 6%.
The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on these lines. No import control is attached to 3105 60 00 00. The small-pack line carries Veterinary control, with tariff wording concerning products of animal origin. The importer should confirm the requirement for the exact Chinese formulation with their customs broker before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the full composition, physical form and gross pack weight. The table repeats the relevant codes for different product forms rather than treating them as separate tariff lines. For nitrogen-containing blends and the wider heading, see the NPK, DAP and MAP guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granular mineral or chemical PK fertiliser blends, packs over 10 kg | 3105 60 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Granular PK fertiliser blends, packs of gross weight not exceeding 10 kg | 3105 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify phosphate, potash and blend behaviour
Ask for the complete formulation and nutrient analysis, including nitrogen, rather than accepting a PK trade name. Specify total phosphate, water-soluble and neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphate, water-soluble potash, chloride, moisture and contaminants including cadmium. Agree the analytical methods and acceptance criteria before approving the sample.
For granular blends, specify particle size distribution, crushing strength, dust and resistance to segregation. For powders intended for dissolution, agree a dissolution test and acceptable residue. Match liners, closures and moisture protection to the product and storage conditions.
For sale in Great Britain, confirm the applicable fertiliser framework and its requirements for type, nutrient declarations and labelling with the relevant authority. Settle the applicable route and label before printing bags; translating the Chinese label alone is insufficient. Assess UK REACH registration responsibilities for the constituent substances.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of granular PK fertiliser blend in 25 kg bags under 3105 60 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,500. Duty at 2% is £230. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,730, so it is £2,346. Import taxes total £2,576; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £230 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Analysis: independently sample the shipment and compare phosphate, potash, nitrogen, chloride and moisture with the contract and label.
Uniformity: compare samples from different bags for particle size and nutrient consistency; check for segregation, dust and hard lumps.
Packing: on arrival, check liners, seams, closures, bag weights and signs of water ingress before releasing stock.
Traceability: match batch marks, analysis reports and delivery documents to the received bags. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A satisfactory average nutrient result can hide an uneven blend. Different particle sizes separate during handling, leaving individual bags or spreader loads unlike the approved sample. Moisture causes caking, and soft granules create dust. Test representative shipment samples rather than relying on a factory-selected sample.
Another failure is buying against total phosphate alone when the buyer needs soluble phosphate. Unexpected chloride, missing nutrient declarations and damaged liners also cause disputes. Put the agreed analysis, test methods, packing and arrival checks into the purchase specification.
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 PK fertiliser blends from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% under 3105 60 00 00 and 6% under the small-pack line 3105 10 00 90. Neither line shows anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Can I use the Chinese label on PK fertiliser bags?
Do not rely on translation alone. Confirm the applicable fertiliser-type and nutrient-declaration requirements with the relevant authority. GOV.UK also says fertilisers can no longer be placed on the UK market as ‘EC fertilisers’.
How do I check a PK blend is consistent?
Independently sample different bags and compare nutrient analysis and particle size. Check segregation, dust, caking and crushing strength against the agreed specification.
Do small packs of PK fertiliser need veterinary checks?
The tariff attaches Veterinary control to 3105 10 00 90, with wording concerning animal-origin products. Give your customs broker the complete formulation and confirm the requirement before shipping from China.