Sourcing silicon monoxide from China
Silicon monoxide from China falls under the residual line of heading 2811, carrying 4% UK duty with no listed suspension or trade remedy. Before importing into Great Britain, settle UK REACH coverage and chemical classification, labelling and packaging responsibilities. Cambridge China Bridge sources silicon monoxide.
Silicon monoxide: 4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2811 covers other inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals. Silicon monoxide belongs in the residual category, with 2811 29 90 90 the code to confirm for the actual material. The table shows buying forms under the same code, rather than separate tariff lines. See the wider silica and inorganic acids guide.
The supplied tariff record gives 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on this line. It attaches an import waste control, alongside export controls for waste and dangerous chemicals. For waste entering England under notification controls, shipment needs consent from the authorities of dispatch, destination and transit. Confirm waste status and the applicable requirements with your customs broker before dispatch from China.
Confirm the commodity code using composition, physical form and intended use. Do not apply a silicon dioxide suspension to silicon monoxide. For the illustrative order, the values are calculation inputs rather than a supplier quotation; see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon monoxide powder | 2811 29 90 90 | 4% | None |
Specify composition and evaporation performance
Name silicon monoxide explicitly, rather than silicon metal or silicon dioxide. Specify powder, granules or lumps; composition and assay method; permitted free silicon, silicon dioxide and metallic impurities; moisture; and particle size distribution. Ask whether quoted purity describes the whole material or only its metallic impurity content.
For evaporation material, agree a trial in your equipment, including loading behaviour, evaporation stability, spitting and deposited film acceptance. For powder, agree sampling and particle size methods. Require a batch certificate of analysis and sealed packaging that preserves the approved sample condition.
For Great Britain, confirm the applicable UK REACH registration requirements and any coverage arrangements with HSE before ordering. Before placing the material on the market, meet GB CLP classification, labelling and packaging duties. A safety data sheet is required for hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 kg of silicon monoxide granules under 2811 29 90 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,300. Duty at 4% is £172. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,472, so it is £894.40. Import taxes total £1,066.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £172 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate and container labels; independently check composition rather than accepting colour as proof of identity.
Size: check the agreed particle size distribution, fines and oversize material against representative batch samples.
Process trial: compare evaporation behaviour and film results with the approved sample before releasing the batch for production.
Packaging: check seals, moisture ingress, net weight and batch traceability; compare hazard information with the safety data sheet. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
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What goes wrong
A quotation describing only 'silicon oxide' can leave the compound unclear. A purity claim without its calculation basis can conceal a composition mismatch. Excess fines, moisture or metallic contamination are reasons to investigate a batch that behaves differently from the approved sample.
Do not release an unsuitable batch merely because its certificate repeats the ordered grade. Retain samples, document the discrepancy and agree independent testing. Returned or discarded material also needs a fresh waste-control check before any cross-border movement.
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 silicon monoxide from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 4% under 2811 29 90 90, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Confirm that code against the actual material.
Does silicon monoxide qualify for silica duty relief?
No suspension is listed for its residual line in the supplied record. Silicon dioxide suspensions have their own product conditions and should not be applied to silicon monoxide.
Does imported silicon monoxide need UK REACH registration?
Confirm with HSE whether your imports require UK REACH registration and whether any exemption or manufacturer's UK only-representative arrangement applies before relying on that arrangement.
What should I check before buying evaporation granules?
Confirm composition, purity basis, metallic impurities, moisture and particle size. Trial a representative sample in your equipment and agree acceptance criteria for evaporation and the deposited film.