Sourcing praseodymium metal from China
Praseodymium metal from China carries 0% to 2% UK duty, depending on purity and suspension eligibility; praseodymium-containing rare-earth mixtures carry 4%. Importers are responsible for chemical classification. Specify praseodymium purity separately from total rare-earth content. Cambridge China Bridge sources praseodymium metal.
Praseodymium duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 2805 includes rare-earth metals, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed. Separated praseodymium of at least 95% purity by weight is listed under 2805 30 29 30. The table also shows lower-purity metal and related praseodymium-containing mixtures so buyers can distinguish them from separated metal.
The separated praseodymium line has a 2% third-country duty and a suspension to 0%, described in our published background guide as lasting until 31 December 2028. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the metal. Lower-purity separated metal carries 2%; the listed mixture lines carry 4%. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on these lines. See the neodymium metal guide for the wider heading.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls to these lines. For material from China, confirm the applicable waste requirements with your customs broker before shipment, particularly for scrap or recovery feedstock. For imports into England under notification controls, shipment can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Confirm composition and purity before choosing the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separated praseodymium metal, purity by weight of 95% or more | 2805 30 29 30 | 2% | None |
| Lower-purity separated praseodymium metal | 2805 30 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Praseodymium-neodymium intermixtures or interalloys, without dysprosium | 2805 30 10 40 | 4% | None |
| Other praseodymium-containing rare-earth intermixtures or interalloys | 2805 30 10 80 | 4% | None |
Specify praseodymium purity and sealed packing
State whether you need separated praseodymium or a praseodymium-neodymium blend. Specify praseodymium content by total product weight and its proportion within the rare-earth content, with separate limits for neighbouring rare earths, iron, oxygen and carbon. Agree ingot or piece dimensions, acceptable fines, sampling method and a batch certificate of analysis.
Agree argon-sealed or vacuum packing, seal checks and storage instructions with the supplier. Ask for the safety data sheet for the actual composition and physical form. Importers are responsible for chemical classification; everyone in the supply chain is responsible for correct labelling and packaging before the chemicals are placed on the market.
Check your annual substance volume and UK REACH position before committing to supply. Match the registration enquiry to the named substance rather than treating all rare-earth metals as interchangeable.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of praseodymium-neodymium metal in argon-sealed drums under 2805 30 10 40, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £31,200. Duty at 4% is £1,248. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,448, so it is £6,489.60. Import taxes total £7,737.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,248 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the invoice, drum labels and batch certificate to separated praseodymium or the agreed blend.
Assay: independently check praseodymium and neighbouring rare earths, plus oxygen, carbon and iron, against the contract.
Packing: check drum damage, seals and evidence of oxidation without opening packs outside the agreed safe sampling procedure.
Quantity and traceability: check net weights and batch references against the packing list; retain the inspection record and analysis results.
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What goes wrong
A certificate can show high total rare-earth content while the praseodymium proportion misses the buyer's specification. A blend supplied against a separated-metal order also creates a classification and suspension problem. Agree both purity measures and verify the dispatched batch rather than relying on a sample certificate.
Damaged seals allow oxidation, while excessive fines or inconsistent piece sizes can disrupt the buyer's process. Photograph packing damage, keep affected drums separate and arrange controlled sampling before releasing the lot. Use quality inspection to check the agreed assay, packing and batch evidence.
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 praseodymium metal from China?
Separated metal of at least 95% purity has a 2% rate, suspended to 0%. Lower-purity separated metal carries 2%; the listed praseodymium mixture lines carry 4%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Does praseodymium-neodymium metal get the same duty suspension?
No. The separated-praseodymium suspension excludes mixtures. The listed praseodymium-neodymium mixture line carries 4%.
What should a praseodymium certificate of analysis show?
Ask for batch identity, praseodymium by total weight, its share of rare-earth content, neighbouring rare earths, oxygen, carbon and iron, with test methods and results against your specification.
How should I check praseodymium metal on arrival?
Check drum seals, damage, batch references and net weight. Arrange controlled sampling for independent assay, and keep damaged or suspect drums separate until assessed.