Sourcing samarium metal from China
Samarium metal from China has a 2% standard UK duty, reduced to 0% for qualifying separated metal; rare-earth blends can pay 4%. The main distinction is separated samarium of at least 95% purity by weight versus lower-purity metal or blends. Check chemical supply obligations before resale. Cambridge China Bridge sources samarium metal.
Samarium duty and the suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 2805 covers alkali and alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium, yttrium and mercury. Separated samarium of at least 95% purity by weight uses 2805 30 29 50: its standard China duty is 2%, with a suspension to 0%. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing the metal.
Lower-purity separated samarium under 2805 30 80 00 pays 2%, without a suspension. Relevant rare-earth blends pay 4%. The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For scrap from China, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker. For imports into England subject to waste notification controls, shipment can start only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved.
Specify the full composition before confirming the commodity code. The blend rows are alternatives for mixed feedstock, not separate grades of pure samarium. See the neodymium metal guide for related products within the wider heading, and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separated samarium metal, purity by weight of 95% or more | 2805 30 29 50 | 2% | None |
| Other separated rare-earth metal, including samarium below 95% purity | 2805 30 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Other rare-earth intermixtures or interalloys, potentially containing samarium | 2805 30 10 80 | 4% | None |
| Rare-earth blends containing neodymium, potentially also containing samarium | 2805 30 10 40 | 4% | None |
Specify samarium content and packing
State whether you need separated samarium or a named rare-earth blend, and whether the material is ingot, pieces or powder. Define samarium content by total product weight, separately from purity relative to total rare-earth content. Set limits for other rare earths, iron, oxygen and carbon, with agreed test methods. Ask for batch analysis and agree sealed packing under argon or vacuum.
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether your imports require UK REACH registration; registration is per substance and legal entity. Before resale, check hazard classification and ensure correct chemical labelling and packaging. A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work. Ask for the sheet for the actual form being supplied.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 kg of samarium metal pieces below 95% purity by weight under 2805 30 80 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,500. Duty at 2% is £50. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,550, so it is £510. Import taxes total £560; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £50 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: check batch analysis against samarium content by total weight and the agreed impurity limits; independently test representative samples.
Form: check ingot or piece dimensions, powder particle size where ordered, loose fines and net weight against the purchase specification.
Packing: check seals, inner packaging and evidence of oxidation before opening; record damaged containers and keep affected lots separate.
Traceability: match container batch marks to the analysis certificate, safety data sheet and invoice during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A certificate can report high samarium purity relative to rare-earth content while leaving oxygen, carbon or base-metal contamination outside that figure. Poor seals allow oxidation, and excessive fines make a delivery different from the agreed pieces. Set the assay basis in the contract and retain samples from each batch.
A rare-earth blend can be offered as separated samarium with the suspension included in the quote. Compare the full composition with the proposed tariff line before accepting the landed-cost calculation. Do not treat finished samarium-cobalt magnets as the metal feedstock described here.
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 samarium metal from China?
Separated samarium of at least 95% purity has a 2% standard duty, suspended to 0% for qualifying goods. Lower-purity separated metal pays 2%; relevant rare-earth blends pay 4%. No trade remedy is shown on these lines.
Does samarium metal need UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether your imports require registration. Registration is per substance and legal entity.
What should a samarium analysis certificate show?
Samarium content by total product weight, purity relative to rare-earth content, named impurities, test methods and the batch identity. Agree oxygen, carbon and iron limits separately.
Can I import samarium scrap under the same rules?
The tariff attaches waste controls. Ask your broker to confirm the scrap requirements. Notified waste imports into England need consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities before shipment.