Sourcing silica sand and natural sand from China
Silica and quartz sands and other natural sands from China, including coloured decorative sand, filtration sand and foundry and glass sands, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 2505, with no anti-dumping duty. Sand is aggregate for Aggregates Levy, so check the levy and its exemptions before pricing, and respirable crystalline silica needs handling controls.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2505 covers natural sands of all kinds, whether or not coloured, other than metal-bearing sands of chapter 26. Both lines 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.
Quartz and quartzite as stone are covered in our quartz and quartzite guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silica sands and quartz sands | 2505 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other natural sands | 2505 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Aggregates Levy and silica dust
HMRC guidance defines aggregate for Aggregates Levy as rock, gravel or sand, and imported aggregate is levied when it is first commercially exploited in the UK, normally with the importer registered. Some aggregate is exempt or the product of an exempt process, so check how your sand is treated with HMRC before you set prices; our decorative gravel guide explains the import rules.
Fine silica sand can release respirable crystalline silica, so ask for the safety data sheet and plan dust controls where it is handled.
Specifying sand
Specify silica content, iron oxide and other impurity limits, grain size distribution and shape, colour and colour fastness for decorative sand, moisture (kiln-dried or not), and packing in lined bags or bulk bags.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of kiln-dried silica sand in bulk bags under 2505 10 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,800, so it is £960. 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.
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What goes wrong
Sand orders fail on grading, moisture and freight. Grain size is outside the range, damp sand cakes in the bag, coloured sand bleeds, and freight costs more than the goods.
Cambridge China Bridge sources specialist sands for UK filtration, craft and industrial users by the container. See container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on silica sand from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, silica and quartz sands under 2505 10 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Does Aggregates Levy apply to imported sand?
Sand is aggregate for the levy, which applies when it is first commercially exploited in the UK; check exemptions with HMRC.
Is silica sand hazardous?
Fine silica can release respirable crystalline silica, so handling needs dust controls; ask for the safety data sheet.
What should I specify for filter sand?
Grain size range, uniformity, silica content, iron content and moisture.