Sourcing sucralose and furan chemicals from China
Oxygen heterocyclics from China pay 6% UK duty for tetrahydrofuran, furfural, sucralose and several named substances, and 0% or 6% on residual lines depending on pharmaceutical status, with no anti-dumping duty. Isosafrole, PMK, piperonal and safrole are Category 1 drug precursors, and tetrahydrocannabinols are controlled drugs. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Sucralose, tetrahydrofuran, furfural, coumarins and other oxygen heterocyclics pay 0% to 6% UK duty from China. Precursor controls explained.
Rates by substance
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, tetrahydrofuran, 2-furaldehyde (furfural), sucralose, gamma-butyrolactone, isosafrole, piperonal and safrole carried 6% duty on goods from China, while residual lines of other furans, lactones and heterocyclics carried 0% for listed pharmaceutical substances under additional code 2500 and 6% otherwise. None had an anti-dumping measure.
The heterocyclics guide explains the additional codes; confirm the commodity code with the CAS number.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetrahydrofuran | 2932 11 00 00 | 6% | None |
| 2-Furaldehyde (furfural) | 2932 12 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Sucralose | 2932 14 00 20 | 6% | None |
| Other furans, other | 2932 19 00 90 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
| Other lactones, other | 2932 20 90 90 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
| Piperonal | 2932 93 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Safrole | 2932 94 00 00 | 6% | None |
Drug precursors and controlled drugs
Isosafrole, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-one, piperonal and safrole are Category 1 scheduled substances in Annex I to the retained drug precursors regulation, so trade in them needs Home Office licensing and end-user declarations. Tetrahydrocannabinols are controlled drugs that section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 prohibits importing without a licence.
Sucralose and solvents
Sucralose used in food must meet the E 955 purity specification in the retained food additive specifications regulation; ask for a certificate of analysis per batch. Tetrahydrofuran and furfural are flammable solvents shipped as dangerous goods, and imports of one tonne or more a year need a UK REACH position.
Documents and inspection
Ask for the safety data sheet, certificate of analysis and, for food grades, evidence of food-grade production. At inspection, check drum or bag labels, seals and lot numbers.
Cambridge China Bridge sources sucralose, solvents and oxygen heterocyclics, with grade, precursor status and dangerous goods handling settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on sucralose from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, sucralose carried 6% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Is piperonal a controlled precursor?
Yes. Piperonal, safrole, isosafrole and PMK are Category 1 drug precursors needing Home Office licensing.
What must food-grade sucralose meet?
The E 955 purity specification, shown on a certificate of analysis per batch.
Is tetrahydrofuran dangerous goods?
Yes. It is a flammable solvent and must be shipped as dangerous goods.