Sourcing propionic acid from China

Propionic acid: 4% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, propionic acid falls under 2915 50 00 00, which also covers its salts and esters within heading 2915. The supplied data records 4% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table shows purchasing specifications sharing that code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export control for waste to this line. Environment Agency guidance says waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For waste or recovered material offered from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements before shipment; the attached export measure does not establish the import procedure.

Confirm the commodity code against the substance identity, composition and grade before ordering. For other acids and acetate products in the wider heading, see acetic acid, formic acid and acetates.

Specify propionic acid assay, water and packaging

State that you require propionic acid, identify the intended industrial or laboratory use, and agree assay, water, colour and impurity acceptance criteria with the factory. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis, the test methods and a retained sample. Agree container material, closure compatibility and how each container will be linked to its batch.

For chemical imports, confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration is required for your annual import quantity. Registration is per substance and per legal entity. Arrange an English safety data sheet and appropriate GB hazard labels, as described in the wider acid guide. This guide addresses industrial and laboratory purchasing; food or feed applications need a separate assessment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of industrial propionic acid in drums under 2915 50 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,480. Duty at 4% is £139.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,619.20, so it is £723.84. Import taxes total £863.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £139.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase specification, certificate of analysis, container labels and batch references.

Assay and water: compare batch results with the agreed limits and arrange independent testing where the application needs it.

Packaging: inspect closures, seals and container surfaces for leaks, staining, damage or signs of incompatible materials.

Documents: check that the English safety data sheet describes the supplied grade and that labels and shipping documents agree.

What goes wrong

A certificate headed simply 'propionic acid' can conceal a mismatch between the ordered grade and the delivered material. Excess water, unexpected impurities or colour can make a batch unsuitable for the buyer's process. A sample approval is useful only when the production lot is checked against the same specification.

Leaking closures and missing batch references make receipt and investigation harder. Agree the acceptance tests before production, record packaging condition on arrival and hold a disputed batch separately while the supplier and laboratory investigate.

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.