Sourcing RDP flame retardant from China
Resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) from China has 0% UK duty under the residual phosphoric ester line, subject to confirming composition and classification. For Great Britain, check UK REACH registration coverage at one tonne a year and correct chemical labelling and packaging. Cambridge China Bridge sources resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate).
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Duty on resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2919 covers phosphoric esters and their salts, including lactophosphates, and specified derivatives. Resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate), also called RDP, is not separately named in the supplied tariff lines. The candidate residual line, 2919 90 00 90, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension listed.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste to this line. The importer should confirm the applicable requirements with their customs broker, particularly if the material is waste or will be re-exported. These measures are labelled as export controls in the supplied tariff record.
Only the residual line is relevant to this product in the supplied data. Confirm the commodity code using the full composition and chemical identity before declaring it. Other named esters have separate lines; see the wider phosphate flame retardants guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other phosphoric esters: candidate line for resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) | 2919 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the RDP grade for your plastics formulation
Specify resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) by full chemical name, composition and intended polymer formulation. Agree limits for triphenyl phosphate content, acid value, water, colour and viscosity, together with the test methods. Request a batch certificate of analysis and compare the proposed grade with the material already qualified in your process.
For imports into Great Britain, check UK REACH registration coverage when annual imports reach one tonne, including coverage through an only representative where applicable. Chemicals must be correctly labelled and packaged before supply. A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for use at work.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate), illustrative order only under 2919 90 00 90, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,500, so it is £6,900. 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 and composition: match the delivered material, batch certificate and safety data sheet to the agreed RDP grade; check triphenyl phosphate content and oligomer distribution against the approved sample.
Acidity and water: test the batch against the agreed acid value and water limits rather than accepting a generic certificate.
Colour and viscosity: compare results using the agreed methods and conditions; inspect a sample for haze, sediment or unexpected colour.
Packing and traceability: check seals, leaks, batch markings, chemical labels and the English safety data sheet; keep the sampled container linked to its batch certificate.
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What goes wrong
A supplier offers another phosphate ester against an RDP enquiry, or changes the grade while retaining the same trade name. A certificate that omits triphenyl phosphate content or oligomer distribution leaves the buyer unable to compare the delivery with the qualified material.
Accepting a clear-looking liquid without checking acidity, water and composition can leave a batch outside the agreed specification. Compare each delivery with the approved grade and trial proposed changes in the customer's formulation. Use a written quality inspection brief to define sampling, tests and acceptance.
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 RDP from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for candidate code 2919 90 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Confirm that the actual composition belongs in this residual line.
Do I need UK REACH registration to import RDP?
For Great Britain, check registration coverage when annual imports reach one tonne. Establish whether your business registers the substance or an only representative covers your imports.
What should an RDP batch certificate show?
The agreed chemical identity, batch reference, composition, triphenyl phosphate content, acid value, water, colour and viscosity, with test methods and results matched to your purchase specification.
Can I substitute another phosphate flame retardant?
Treat substitution as a formulation change. Compare composition and test the proposed material in your polymer formulation before accepting it against an RDP order.