Polycarboxylic acids and phthalates from China
Polycarboxylic acids and their esters from China, such as adipic acid, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, terephthalic acid and plasticisers like DOTP, carry a 6% base UK duty with no anti-dumping duty, but phthalic anhydride and terephthalic acid are suspended to 0% to the end of 2026. DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP are restricted. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
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Rates and suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, polycarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides and peroxides and their derivatives of heading 2917 carried a base duty of 6% on goods from China on most lines, with no anti-dumping measure. Sebacic acid (2917 13 10 00) was 0%. For acrylic and benzoic acids, see our acrylic and benzoic acids guide.
Suspensions matter here. Phthalic anhydride (2917 35 00 00) and terephthalic acid (2917 36 00 11 and 19) have 0% suspensions to 31 December 2026, and many listed specialty acids and esters, such as diethyl oxalate, diethyl malonate, itaconic acid and diallyl phthalate, have whole-line suspensions to the end of 2028. Adipic acid, maleic anhydride, DEHP and DOTP pay 6%. Check the chemical name and CAS number against the commodity code before quoting.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adipic acid | 2917 12 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Maleic anhydride | 2917 14 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Phthalic anhydride | 2917 35 00 00 | 0% (suspended to end 2026) | None |
| Terephthalic acid, purity 99.5% or more | 2917 36 00 11 | 0% (suspended to end 2026) | None |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DOTP) | 2917 39 35 00 | 6% | None |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) | 2917 32 00 10 | 6% | None |
Restrictions, labels and grades
The ortho-phthalates DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP are on the UK REACH authorisation list, so they cannot be used in Great Britain without an authorisation unless the use is exempt, and UK REACH Annex XVII entry 51 limits them to 0.1% by weight in plasticised material in articles; most buyers now use non-ortho plasticisers such as DOTP. Importers of one tonne or more a year of a substance must check UK REACH registration. For phosphate esters, see our phosphate flame retardants guide.
Maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride are respiratory and skin sensitisers, so they need GB CLP labels and a safety data sheet in English. Grades are bought on assay, acid value, colour, moisture, ash and iron; plasticisers used in food contact plastics must be listed in retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 20 tonnes of adipic acid in 25 kg bags, commodity code 2917 12 00 10, bought for £26,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance, so £27,800 is the value customs works from. Duty at the 6% rate for adipic acid is £1,668. VAT at 20% applies to £29,468, so £5,893.60. A VAT-registered buyer usually recovers the VAT, so the border adds £1,668 to the landed cost. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
What goes wrong
These chemicals fail on purity, identity and paperwork. Assay or colour misses the specification, so resins and polyesters discolour; a plasticiser sold as DOTP contains restricted ortho-phthalates; anhydrides pick up moisture and hydrolyse in bags; and the safety data sheet or CLP labels are missing or in Chinese only.
Test assay, acid value, colour and moisture on each lot against the certificate of analysis, screen plasticisers for DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP by gas chromatography, check bag and drum seals on anhydrides, confirm English safety data sheets and CLP labels, and keep a retained sample of each approved lot.
Cambridge China Bridge sources adipic acid, anhydrides, terephthalic acid and non-phthalate plasticisers for resin, polyester, PVC and coatings makers, including a second supplier to compare with an existing source. See how we add a second supplier. For glycol ether sourcing, see our glycol ethers guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on phthalic anhydride from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, phthalic anhydride of 2917 35 00 00 had a 0% suspension to the end of 2026 on a 6% base rate.
Is adipic acid suspended?
No. Adipic acid of 2917 12 00 10 carried 6% from China.
Can I import DEHP plasticiser?
DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP need a UK REACH authorisation to be used in Great Britain unless the use is exempt, and are limited to 0.1% in plasticised articles.
How do I check a plasticiser is phthalate-free?
Screen each lot for DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP by gas chromatography against the certificate.