Sourcing potash and potassium sulphate from China
Potassic fertilisers from China, including potassium chloride (muriate of potash) of every K2O grade, potassium sulphate (SOP) and other potassic fertilisers, pay 0% UK duty on all five lines of heading 3104, with no anti-dumping duty, and heading 3104 is not in the UK CBAM fertiliser list. Buyers check K2O content, chloride for sensitive crops, granule size and moisture.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, heading 3104 covers mineral or chemical potassic fertilisers, split into potassium chloride by K2O content, potassium sulphate and other. All five lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The potassium chloride lines carry a waste import control, answered by a not-waste declaration.
Potassium chloride sold for water softening or de-icing rather than as fertiliser may be classified elsewhere; confirm the commodity code. A product sold as a fertiliser in the UK must meet the fertiliser rules for its labelling and declared nutrient content, so ask for analysis that supports the declared nutrient figures before you label it.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium chloride, K2O 40% or less | 3104 20 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Potassium chloride, K2O over 40% to 62% | 3104 20 50 00 | 0% | None |
| Potassium chloride, K2O over 62% | 3104 20 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Potassium sulphate | 3104 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other potassic fertilisers | 3104 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying potash
Specify K2O content, chloride and sulphur for potassium sulphate, standard or granular form, size range, moisture, anti-caking treatment, and packing in bags or bulk. Ask for an analysis per lot and agree sampling at loading.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 tonnes of granular potassium sulphate under 3104 30 00 00, invoiced at £110,000 free on board, with £9,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £119,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £119,000, so it is £23,800. 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
Analysis: check K2O and chloride against the grade.
Granules: check size, dust and caking.
Packing: check bags and moisture protection. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Potash orders fail on grade and caking. K2O is below the contract, standard grade arrives where granular was ordered, and product cakes in damp transit.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on potassium sulphate from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, potassium sulphate under 3104 30 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is potash covered by UK CBAM?
No. Heading 3104 is not in the CBAM fertiliser list.
Why choose potassium sulphate over potassium chloride?
For crops sensitive to chloride, and where sulphur is also needed.
What is muriate of potash?
Potassium chloride sold as fertiliser, graded by K2O content.