Sourcing sodium silicate and silicates from China
Sodium metasilicate, sodium silicate (water glass) in solid or liquid form, calcium silicate and other silicates from China pay 0% UK duty on all four lines of heading 2839, with no anti-dumping duty. Sodium silicates are alkaline and often corrosive or irritant, so GB CLP labels and a safety data sheet are needed, and buyers check modulus, solids content and packing.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 2839 covers silicates and commercial alkali metal silicates. All four 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.
Silica itself is covered in our silica and inorganic acids guide; calcium silicate boards are articles classified elsewhere. Confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium metasilicates | 2839 11 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other sodium silicates (water glass) | 2839 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Calcium silicate | 2839 90 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Other silicates | 2839 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Labels and specification
Sodium metasilicate and many sodium silicate solutions are classified as corrosive or irritant under the retained CLP Regulation, so they need GB labels, a GB supplier and a GB-format safety data sheet, and may ship as dangerous goods.
Specify the product and its silica to sodium oxide ratio (modulus), solids content, density or Baumé, viscosity, iron limit, for metasilicate whether anhydrous or pentahydrate, particle size, and packing in bags, drums or IBCs.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of sodium silicate solution in IBCs under 2839 19 00 00, invoiced at £5,500 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,500, so it is £1,500. 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
Analysis: check modulus, solids and density against the certificate of analysis.
Packing: check IBC or drum condition, closures and hazard labels.
Solids: check bags for caking and moisture. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Silicate orders fail on modulus, labels and packing. Modulus or solids differ from the specification, solutions gel in cold transit, and labels miss GB CLP requirements.
Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial chemicals for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on sodium silicate from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, sodium silicates under heading 2839 carried 0% from China.
What is the modulus of sodium silicate?
The ratio of silica to sodium oxide, which sets the product's properties and use.
Is sodium metasilicate hazardous?
It is commonly classified as corrosive and needs GB CLP labels and a safety data sheet.
Are calcium silicate boards in heading 2839?
No. Boards are articles classified elsewhere; heading 2839 covers the chemical.