Sourcing Propylene Oxide from China
Propylene oxide from China carries 0% UK import duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. For Great Britain, check UK REACH registration coverage and dangerous goods arrangements before ordering this flammable, carcinogenic chemical. Cambridge China Bridge sources propylene oxide.
Propylene oxide duty and tariff controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 10 November 2026, propylene oxide, described as methyloxirane, falls under 2910 20 00 00 within heading 2910. Its duty for goods from China is 0%. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export waste control to this line. Ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to the intended movement. If material from China is waste rather than a saleable chemical, confirm the applicable waste shipment requirements before ordering. For waste subject to notification controls, confirm with the relevant competent authorities which consents are needed before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity and composition. This focused guide has only the propylene oxide line; related substances are covered in our epichlorohydrin and epoxides guide. See import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methyloxirane (propylene oxide) | 2910 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify propylene oxide purity and handling
Agree the assay, water content, impurity profile and test methods before comparing factory offers. Request a certificate of analysis for the actual production batch. Specify whether recovered material is acceptable, and have your process team approve a representative sample rather than relying on a grade name.
For Great Britain, if you plan to import one tonne or more annually, confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration coverage is needed and whether your own registration or a supplier's only representative arrangement covers your imports. Propylene oxide is classified as a carcinogen; confirm with HSE any restrictions on supply to the general public and the applicable concentration limits.
Propylene oxide travels as UN 1280, a highly flammable class 3 liquid. Confirm the applicable packaging, labels and dangerous goods declaration requirements with the carrier. Agree the transport packaging and receiving arrangements with the carrier and your site. Confirm with HSE the safety data sheet requirements when a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 16 tonnes of propylene oxide; illustrative order, not a quotation under 2910 20 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,500, so it is £5,500. 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
Identity: match the product name, batch identifiers and certificate of analysis to the purchase order and transport documents.
Composition: have a competent laboratory check assay and impurities by the agreed method, and water content by Karl Fischer testing, against the batch certificate and your specification.
Packaging: check seals, closures and external condition on arrival; record leakage, corrosion or damage before accepting the delivery.
Documents: check the English safety data sheet, approved transport packaging, hazard labels and dangerous goods declaration against the propylene oxide shipment.
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What goes wrong
A quoted grade can arrive with a different impurity profile or water content from the approved sample. A generic certificate does not establish the quality of the delivered batch. Agree acceptance methods and retain batch traceability so your process team can investigate a failed trial.
Leaking packages and inconsistent transport documents can interrupt receipt even when the tariff duty is zero. Review the documents before loading and arrange sampling through trained personnel. Use our inspection guide to define the checks and evidence you want recorded.
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 propylene oxide from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for 2910 20 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Do I need UK REACH registration for propylene oxide?
For Great Britain, if you plan to import one tonne or more annually, confirm with HSE whether registration coverage is needed. Check with HSE whether your own registration or the supplier's only representative arrangement covers your imports before ordering.
Is propylene oxide dangerous goods?
Yes. It travels as UN 1280, a highly flammable class 3 liquid. Confirm the applicable packaging, labels and dangerous goods declaration requirements with the carrier before shipment.
What should I test in a propylene oxide batch?
Check assay, water content and the agreed impurity profile against the actual batch certificate. Use agreed methods and confirm that a representative sample works in your process.