Sourcing sebacic acid from China
Sebacic acid from China carries 0% UK duty; related salts and esters have a 6% base rate, with dimethyl sebacate suspended to 0%. Confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE for your planned annual imports and establish the chemical's hazard classification. Cambridge China Bridge sources sebacic acid.
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Sebacic acid duty and related esters
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 22 November 2026, sebacic acid under 2917 13 10 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension needed. Heading 2917 covers polycarboxylic acids and related derivatives. This guide focuses on sebacic acid; see the fumaric acid guide for wider heading context.
Related salts and esters under 2917 13 90 90 carry a 6% base duty. Dimethyl sebacate has a suspension to 0.00 %, excluding mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components. The repeated code in the table reflects a shared tariff line. Both codes attach an export waste control. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; confirm the requirement with your customs broker if buying recovered or off-specification material from China.
Confirm the chemical identity, composition and whether the product is the acid, a salt or an ester before choosing the commodity code. Do not apply the acid's zero rate to a derivative merely because its quotation mentions sebacic acid.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebacic acid | 2917 13 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Sebacic acid salts within the other-products line | 2917 13 90 90 | 6% | None |
Specify sebacic acid by batch performance
State the intended process and agree assay, acid value, moisture, colour, ash and iron limits with the factory. Specify the test methods and reporting basis, rather than accepting a grade name alone. Request a batch certificate of analysis and a retained sample, then compare the proposed material with your approved production sample.
Confirm UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE for your planned annual imports of the substance. Chemical suppliers, including importers, are responsible for classification. If the chemical is hazardous and supplied for use at work, a safety data sheet is required. Request the classification assessment and relevant safety documents before shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of sebacic acid in 25 kg bags under 2917 13 10 00, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,800, so it is £5,560. 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 chemical name, bag labels, batch certificate and purchase order; distinguish sebacic acid from sebacate salts and esters.
Batch results: compare assay, acid value, moisture and colour with the agreed limits; arrange independent testing where the certificate needs verification.
Packaging: inspect bag seals, liners, damp patches, caking and contamination; photograph damaged packs before moving the stock.
Traceability: reconcile batch markings and delivered weight with the packing list, retain a sample and check that safety documents describe the delivered material.
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What goes wrong
A quotation says only 'sebacic grade', while the delivered product is an ester or has a different impurity profile. A satisfactory assay alone does not settle moisture, colour or iron acceptance. Treat each agreed property as a separate acceptance check.
Wet or damaged packaging can leave caked material that is difficult to sample consistently. Hold affected stock apart, document the condition and compare representative samples with the agreed specification before releasing it to production.
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 sebacic acid from China?
Sebacic acid under 2917 13 10 00 carries 0% duty in the supplied tariff data, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does the same duty apply to dimethyl sebacate?
No. Its shared line, 2917 13 90 90, has a 6% base rate and a specific suspension to 0.00 %. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and multi-component products.
Do I need UK REACH registration for sebacic acid?
Resolve your registration position before committing to the shipment.
What should I test when sebacic acid arrives?
Check identity, assay, acid value, moisture, colour, ash and iron against your agreed specification. Inspect bag seals and batch markings, and retain a representative sample.