Sourcing tetraethylammonium bromide from China
Heading 2923 spans 0% to 6% duty; budget 6% for tetraethylammonium bromide under the residual line, subject to classification. Confirm the substance identity and your UK REACH position, and assess chemical classification before supply in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources tetraethylammonium bromide.
Tetraethylammonium bromide: budget 6%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2923 covers quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides, lecithins and other phosphoaminolipids. Tetraethylammonium bromide has no dedicated line in the supplied schedule; 2923 90 00 90 is the candidate residual line. The other table entries distinguish related chemicals, not alternative codes for the bromide.
The residual line carries 6% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Its suspension names other substances and does not name tetraethylammonium bromide. The UK Trade Tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste; ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to the transaction. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste.
Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition and supplied form before ordering. Do not borrow a suspension from a similarly named salt. The wider heading guide explains pharmaceutical relief and related products; a laboratory or pharmaceutical grade label alone is no basis for assuming relief.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other quaternary ammonium salts: candidate line for tetraethylammonium bromide | 2923 90 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Tetrabutylammonium bromide: a different bromide salt | 2923 90 00 55 | 6% | None |
| Specified tetraethylammonium hydroxide solution: not the bromide | 2923 90 00 75 | 6% | None |
| Specified tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution: a different chemical | 2923 90 00 10 | 6% | None |
Specify the bromide, assay and test basis
Write tetraethylammonium bromide in the purchase specification, not simply tetraethylammonium salt. Agree the chemical identifier with the supplier and distinguish it from tetraethylammonium hydroxide and tetrabutylammonium bromide. Specify solid or solution, assay method, whether assay is reported on a dry or supplied basis, moisture, relevant residual solvents and impurity limits for your intended process.
Request a batch certificate of analysis with actual results and methods, a safety data sheet, and a retained sample. Agree sealed packaging and batch traceability. For industrial imports, check your UK REACH position at one tonne or more per year. Chemical suppliers, including importers, are responsible for classification; supply-chain businesses are responsible for correct labelling and packaging before market placement in Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order: 10 kg of tetraethylammonium bromide under 2923 90 00 90, invoiced at £1,800 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,300. Duty at 6% is £138. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,438, so it is £487.60. Import taxes total £625.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £138 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate, safety data sheet and container label to tetraethylammonium bromide.
Assay: compare batch results and the agreed test basis; arrange independent identity and assay checks before releasing material into your process.
Moisture and impurities: check the agreed moisture, residual solvent and impurity results; record caking, discolouration or unexpected material.
Packaging: check seals, leaks, container condition and batch numbers; compare hazard information with the safety data sheet. Use the inspection guide to document acceptance and discrepancies.
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What goes wrong
A shortened chemical name can lead to the wrong salt being quoted or shipped. An assay reported on a dry basis can also be mistaken for the composition of the material as supplied. Treat mismatched identity, unexplained moisture, damaged seals and certificates without batch results as reasons to hold the material for investigation.
A related salt's tariff suspension can distort the landed-cost estimate. Resolve classification before shipment, and agree test methods and acceptance criteria before paying for production. Trial the approved batch in your process before accepting repeat supply.
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 tetraethylammonium bromide from China?
Budget 6% under candidate code 2923 90 00 90, subject to classification. The supplied tariff facts do not name tetraethylammonium bromide in that line's suspension.
Is tetraethylammonium bromide the same as tetrabutylammonium bromide?
No. Specify the full chemical identity. Tetrabutylammonium bromide has its own tariff line; its suspension should not be applied to tetraethylammonium bromide.
Do I need to check UK REACH before importing?
Yes. Check your registration position when annual imports of the substance reach one tonne or more. Confirm the route applicable to your business before ordering.
What should a tetraethylammonium bromide certificate of analysis show?
Ask for the batch identity, actual assay result, test method, dry or supplied basis, moisture and the impurities agreed for your process. Match the certificate to the delivered batch.