Sourcing sodium benzoate from China

Sodium benzoate duty and tariff checks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, sodium benzoate under 2916 31 00 91 carries 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Its duty range is therefore a single rate. The grade and form entries below share the same commodity line.

Heading 2916 covers unsaturated acyclic and cyclic monocarboxylic acids and specified derivatives, including benzoic acid and its salts. The sodium benzoate line also attaches an export waste control. The importer should confirm its relevance and any requirement with their customs broker, particularly if the material is waste or a rejected batch.

Confirm the commodity code against the substance identity and composition before ordering. For related substances, see the wider acrylic and benzoic acids guide. Use the current sodium benzoate record for budgeting rather than assuming relief mentioned in an older guide applies.

Specify sodium benzoate grade and food use

State whether the order is for food manufacture, laboratory work or an industrial process. Specify powder or granules, assay, moisture, impurity limits, test methods and packaging. Agree acceptance limits in writing rather than accepting an unexplained supplier grade name.

Confirm the applicable food additive purity specifications for food-use sodium benzoate with the FSA. Most food additives are permitted only in certain foods and quantities, so check the intended finished food and dosage before approving the specification. Request a batch certificate of analysis and arrange testing and certification support where needed.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 15 tonnes of food-grade sodium benzoate, illustrative only under 2916 31 00 91, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,500. Duty at 6% is £1,410. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,910, so it is £4,982. Import taxes total £6,392; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,410 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the sodium benzoate description, ordered grade and batch references across the bags, invoice and certificate of analysis.

Analysis: check assay, moisture and impurity results against the agreed specification. Test an arrival sample independently before releasing a first delivery for production.

Condition: inspect liners, closures and bags for damage, moisture, contamination and hard lumps. Photograph affected stock and keep it separate.

Performance: compare particle form and dissolution in the buyer's intended process with the approved sample. Retain a labelled sample linked to the delivered batch.

What goes wrong

Technical-grade benzoate can be supplied against a food-grade order. A generic analysis sheet may describe a different batch, while moisture-damaged bags or an unexpected particle form can disrupt weighing and mixing. Check the actual delivery against the purchase specification.

A food-grade certificate does not establish that every proposed food use or dosage is permitted. Confirm the applicable conditions separately. Hold material with missing batch evidence or failed results while the supplier investigates.

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.