Sourcing roast molybdenum concentrate from China

Duty on roasted molybdenum concentrate

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2613 covers molybdenum ores and concentrates. The roasted line is 2613 10 00 00. The table shows packing presentations within that same commodity line. For the wider product family, see our molybdenum ores guide.

The supplied record shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches import waste controls and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For a shipment from China into England under notification controls, confirm with the Environment Agency and your customs broker who should start the application, where it should be submitted and which authorities' consent is needed before shipment. Confirm the applicable procedure with your customs broker.

Give your broker the feedstock description, roasting process, composition, intended use and waste-status documents to confirm the commodity code. Check the classification again if the supplier offers a purified chemical product instead of roasted concentrate.

Specify molybdenum content and roasting quality

Specify molybdenum content on a dry basis, residual sulphur, moisture and particle size. Agree limits for copper, lead, arsenic, phosphorus and other impurities with the receiving processor. Ask for the feedstock origin, roasting description and a batch assay that distinguishes elemental molybdenum content from oxide content. Agree whether settlement uses dry weight and the independently verified assay.

Set a representative sampling method, sealed retained samples and a procedure for disputed results. Match the packing and liner to the processor's unloading equipment. Obtain the safety data sheet and ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position for the roasted material. Before supplying it in Great Britain, ensure it is correctly labelled and packaged; arrange a competent review of the chemical classification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative bagged trial lot of roasted molybdenum concentrate for a specialist processor under 2613 10 00 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £6,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £46,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £46,000, so it is £9,200. 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 roasted-concentrate description, processing records and batch references to the order and assay certificate.

Assay: independently sample the shipment and compare dry-basis molybdenum, residual sulphur and agreed impurities with the processor's specification.

Condition: check moisture, particle size, caking and foreign matter; reconcile delivered weight with the agreed settlement basis.

Packing: check closures, liners, leakage, lot marks and container dryness. Plan representative checks using our quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A selected sample can hide uneven roasting or blending. Residual sulphur and unwanted metals can exceed the processor's agreed limits even when molybdenum content looks acceptable. Confusing elemental content with oxide content can also distort settlement. Wet material increases delivered weight and can cake during unloading. Compare shipment samples with the agreed assay and moisture methods.

Recovered residues offered as concentrate can leave waste status unresolved. Establish the material's status before booking transport. For notified waste imported into England, confirm with the Environment Agency whether the importer needs carrier, broker or dealer registration and whether the recovery facility needs a permit or exemption covering the treatment. A supplier's product name is also insufficient to settle the roasted material's REACH position.

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.