Sourcing rare earth oxides and compounds from China
Compounds of rare-earth metals, yttrium and scandium from China, such as cerium oxide polishing powder, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and yttrium oxides, pay 0% UK duty on every line of heading 2846, with no anti-dumping duty. Purity by total rare earth oxide and relative purity, and confirmation from the supplier that it can export, matter most.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2846 covers compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals, of yttrium or of scandium or of mixtures of these metals, with separate lines for many individual elements. The lines shown carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The tariff also attaches a waste import control; new material clears on a declaration that it is not waste under the retained waste shipments regulation.
Rare earth metals are covered in our rare earth and alkali metals guide, and magnets in our magnets guide; confirm the commodity code from the element.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerium compounds: rare-earth concentrate, 60% to 95% oxides | 2846 10 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Cerium compounds, other | 2846 10 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Lanthanum compounds | 2846 90 40 00 | 0% | None |
| Neodymium compounds | 2846 90 50 40 | 0% | None |
| Praseodymium compounds | 2846 90 50 30 | 0% | None |
| Dysprosium compounds | 2846 90 60 25 | 0% | None |
| Terbium compounds | 2846 90 60 20 | 0% | None |
| Yttrium compounds | 2846 90 70 55 | 0% | None |
| Compounds of mixtures of rare-earth metals | 2846 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying rare earth compounds
Specify the compound and CAS number, total rare earth oxide content, relative purity of the target element, limits on other rare earths and non-rare-earth impurities, loss on ignition, particle size, and for cerium polishing powder the particle size distribution and polishing rate.
Ask the supplier in writing whether any export licence or permit is needed on the Chinese side for your exact product, who obtains it and how long it takes, and build that time into the order.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 kg of neodymium oxide for magnet research under 2846 90 50 40, invoiced at £45,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £45,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £45,400, so it is £9,080. 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
Analysis: check the certificate against the specification and test samples by an independent laboratory for high-value lots.
Packing: check sealed drums or bags, lot numbers and net weights.
Documents: check the safety data sheet and any export licence the supplier said was needed. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Rare earth orders fail on purity, supply and delays. Relative purity is below the grade paid for, cheaper rare earths are blended in, and shipments are delayed while export paperwork is arranged.
Cambridge China Bridge sources rare earth materials for UK manufacturers and research groups, with analysis and export paperwork agreed before payment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on rare earth oxides from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, rare earth compounds under heading 2846 carried 0% from China.
Is cerium oxide polishing powder in heading 2846?
Cerium compounds are 2846 10; prepared polishing compositions may be classified elsewhere, so confirm the code.
Do rare earths from China need an export licence?
Ask the supplier in writing whether any Chinese export licence or permit applies to your exact product, and who obtains it.
What does relative purity mean?
The share of the target rare earth among all rare earths in the product, separate from total rare earth oxide content.