Sourcing sulphides from China
Sulphides and polysulphides from China normally pay 4% UK duty, with a qualifying disodium tetrasulfide suspension bringing the range to 0% to 4%. For Great Britain, settle UK REACH registration and chemical classification, labelling and packaging before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources sulphides.
Duty and the sodium sulphide suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 November 2026, heading 2830 covers sulphides and polysulphides, whether or not chemically defined. Every supplied commodity line has a normal China duty of 4%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure shown.
Under 2830 10 00 00, the suspension gives 0% only to disodium tetrasulfide containing 38% or less sodium by dry weight. It excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing it. The tariff also attaches import waste controls and an export waste measure; confirm their relevance with your customs broker rather than treating ordinary product and waste as interchangeable.
Confirm the commodity code from the chemical identity, composition and physical form. For notified waste imported into England from China, the exporter starts the consent process with the authority in China; shipment can begin only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other authorities involved.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium sulphides | 2830 10 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Calcium sulphide | 2830 90 11 00 | 4% | None |
| Other sulphides and polysulphides | 2830 90 85 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the sulphide, assay and moisture
Name the exact sulphide or polysulphide, intended process, powder or flake form, assay basis and test method. Agree moisture, insoluble matter and relevant metal impurities. For sodium sulphides, distinguish the sulphide content from total sodium content; a commercial assay alone does not demonstrate eligibility for the suspension.
For Great Britain, establish your UK REACH registration position: HSE guidance requires registration for a GB-based entity importing a substance at or above 1 tonne per year. Importers must classify, label and package hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the market. Obtain the supplier's safety data sheet and agree packaging against the identified hazards.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 tonne of speciality sulphide powder under 2830 90 85 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,000. Duty at 4% is £320. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,320, so it is £1,664. Import taxes total £1,984; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £320 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the chemical name, composition and batch references across the order, analysis certificate and safety data sheet.
Assay: arrange batch sampling and independent analysis against the agreed assay, moisture, insoluble matter and impurity limits.
Condition: check for wet packs, caking, excessive fines and contamination against the approved sample and contract.
Packaging: check closures, liners, leakage, net weight and labels against the agreed packing specification during inspection.
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What goes wrong
A certificate can report assay on a dry basis while the buyer expects an as-delivered value. Moisture then changes the useful chemical content of the delivery. An unspecified particle size or insoluble fraction can also leave material unsuitable for the buyer's dissolution or dosing process.
Do not assume that all sodium sulphides receive the suspension. Request evidence of the exact suspended substance and sodium content. If a supplier offers recovered material or process residues, establish whether the consignment is waste and ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control before shipment.
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 sulphides from China?
The normal duty is 4% across the supplied heading 2830 lines. Qualifying disodium tetrasulfide under 2830 10 00 00 has a 0% suspension. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is shown.
Is sodium sulphide automatically duty-free?
No. The suspension is limited to disodium tetrasulfide with 38% or less sodium by dry weight and excludes mixtures, preparations and multi-component products containing it.
Do sulphides need UK REACH registration?
For Great Britain, HSE guidance requires a GB-based entity importing a substance at or above 1 tonne per year to register it. Establish the registration position for your exact substance before ordering.
What should I check when sulphides arrive?
Match batch identity and assay documents, verify the assay basis, moisture and insoluble matter, and inspect for caking, wet packaging, damaged closures and leakage.