Sourcing precious-metal compounds from China
Precious-metal compounds and colloids from China normally pay 2% to 4% UK duty, with a narrowly defined zero-duty suspension. Before supplying them in Great Britain, check chemical classification, labelling and packaging, plus the UK REACH registration position. Cambridge China Bridge sources precious-metal compounds.
Duty, suspensions and attached controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 November 2026, heading 2843 covers colloidal precious metals, inorganic or organic precious-metal compounds and precious-metal amalgams. Colloidal silver, silver compounds and amalgams carry 4% duty from China; other colloidal precious metals, gold compounds and other precious-metal compounds carry 2%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Under 2843 90 90 00, a 0.00 % suspension covers the specified dinitritosulphatoplatinum solution and allylpalladium chloride dimer, with the footnote specifying purity by weight of 98% or more. It excludes mixtures, preparations and products made from different components containing these products. Confirm eligibility against the complete chemical specification rather than assuming all platinum or palladium compounds qualify.
The tariff attaches waste import and export controls throughout the heading, mercury import controls to amalgams, and a dangerous-chemical export control to other silver compounds. Confirm the mercury requirement for goods from China with your customs broker before ordering. For notified waste entering England, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Have the broker confirm the applicable waste procedure and commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colloidal silver | 2843 10 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Other colloidal precious metals | 2843 10 90 00 | 2% | None |
| Silver nitrate | 2843 21 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other silver compounds | 2843 29 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Gold compounds | 2843 30 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other precious-metal compounds | 2843 90 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify chemical identity and metal content
Name the compound, chemical form, intended process and whether it is a solid, solution or colloid. Specify compound purity separately from precious-metal content. For solutions, state the solvent, concentration basis and acceptable acidity; for colloids, agree particle-size distribution, stabiliser and sedimentation acceptance. List process-sensitive impurities and the assay method.
Ask for a batch certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and retained sample. Agree suitable containers and protection from light or moisture according to the product specification. Settle the UK REACH registration position, especially if annual substance imports reach one tonne. Before supply in Great Britain, check chemical classification and ensure labels and packaging meet the applicable chemical rules.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 25 kg of silver nitrate for a laboratory supplier; illustrative values under 2843 21 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 4% is £680. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,680, so it is £3,536. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £680 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the container description, batch certificate and order; distinguish compound assay from precious-metal assay.
Analysis: independently check metal content, specified impurities and solution concentration against the agreed method.
Condition: check for leakage, damaged seals, unexpected colour changes, precipitation or colloid separation against the approved sample.
Traceability: check batch markings, net contents and safety data sheet correspondence during inspection.
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What goes wrong
A quotation can describe compound purity while the buyer assumes it means metal content. Hydrated and anhydrous forms can also give different metal contents. A solution may match the chemical name but contain an unsuitable solvent, acidity or concentration. Colloids can settle or aggregate, while contamination can affect plating or catalyst performance.
Put acceptance criteria and the test method in the purchase specification. Compare independent results with the batch certificate before releasing the shipment. Keep amalgams and recovered chemical residues out of an ordinary reagent order until the broker has confirmed the attached mercury or waste control requirements.
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 precious-metal compounds from China?
Ordinary rates are 2% to 4%. Silver nitrate and other silver compounds pay 4%; gold compounds pay 2%. A narrowly defined suspension under 2843 90 90 00 gives eligible products zero duty.
Are all platinum and palladium compounds duty-free?
No. The suspension names specific products and conditions. Other products under 2843 90 90 00 normally pay 2%; check identity, purity and whether the goods are an excluded preparation.
What should a silver nitrate specification include?
Specify chemical form, compound purity, silver content, moisture and process-sensitive impurities, with the test method, batch certificate and suitable sealed packing.
Can I order precious-metal amalgams from China?
Do not assume a tariff code permits import. The tariff attaches mercury import controls to amalgams. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement; refer unresolved mercury-control questions to the Environment Agency.