Sourcing precipitated silica from China
Precipitated silica from China normally carries 4% UK duty; qualifying silica filler granules can enter at 0%. Match the physical form and purity to the suspension conditions, and confirm UK REACH coverage before importing into Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources precipitated silica.
Precipitated silica duty and conditional relief
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 2811 covers other inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals. Precipitated silica normally falls within other silicon dioxide, code 2811 22 00 90. Its Chinese-origin duty is 4%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The table separates buying applications sharing this code; they are not separate tariff subdivisions.
Silica filler granules containing at least 97% silicon dioxide have a conditional 0% suspension. Silica powder for manufacturing chromatography columns and sample preparation cartridges has a separate 0% authorised-use suspension requiring customs supervision. Neither is blanket relief for precipitated silica. The tariff also attaches import and export waste controls. For goods from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the waste control applies; notified waste cannot move before the relevant authorities consent.
Confirm the commodity code using the composition, physical form and intended use, then check the suspension footnotes against the actual batch. The specific fine amorphous powder line has its own criteria and should not be chosen merely because silica is amorphous. For a comparison with another silica family, see fumed silica.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitated silica powder for rubber compounding | 2811 22 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the precipitated silica grade
Name the application, powder or granulated form, surface treatment and approved reference sample. Agree specific surface area, moisture, suspension acidity, sieve residue and silicon dioxide purity with named test methods. For rubber compounding, compare trial mixing and reinforcement with the approved grade rather than accepting a supplier's claim that grades are interchangeable.
For Great Britain, confirm UK REACH registration, applicable exemptions and representative coverage with HSE or your customs broker before ordering. Confirm any applicable English safety data sheet and GB classification labelling requirements with HSE. This guide concerns industrial grades; food-additive suitability needs a separate specification and compliance check.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 tonnes of precipitated silica powder for rubber compounding under 2811 22 00 90, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £36,000. Duty at 4% is £1,440. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £37,440, so it is £7,488. Import taxes total £8,928; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,440 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the bag label, grade, batch certificate and purchase specification; check powder or granules and any surface treatment.
Laboratory results: compare specific surface area, loss on drying, suspension acidity and sieve residue with the agreed methods and acceptance limits.
Packing: inspect bag seams and liners for tears, dampness and powder leakage; record clumping, contamination and net-weight discrepancies.
Application trial: retain batch samples and compare dispersion and mixing behaviour with the approved sample before releasing stock. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
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What goes wrong
A familiar grade name can conceal changed surface area or moisture. Rubber mixing and reinforcement then differ from the approved sample. Wet bags create clumps, damaged liners admit contamination, and a batch certificate may describe a different lot. Hold affected stock and test retained samples against the purchase specification.
A granulated product is sometimes quoted as duty-free without checking purity or the suspension wording. Obtain the batch evidence before budgeting for relief. Keep registration coverage separate from the factory's analysis certificate, and review import duty and VAT when comparing quotations.
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 precipitated silica from China?
Normally 4% under 2811 22 00 90. Qualifying silica filler granules have a conditional 0% suspension. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded in the supplied tariff facts.
Does precipitated silica need UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE or your customs broker whether UK REACH registration is required, whether an exemption applies or whether the manufacturer's UK only representative covers your imports. Confirm the coverage before ordering.
What should I test in a precipitated silica batch?
Check specific surface area, loss on drying, suspension acidity and sieve residue against agreed methods. Compare mixing and dispersion with the approved sample for your application.
Are all granulated silica grades duty-free?
No. The suspension specifies silica filler granules containing at least 97% silicon dioxide. Match the actual product and batch evidence to all applicable footnotes before claiming relief.