Sourcing tetrahydrofuran from China
Tetrahydrofuran from China carries 0% to 6% UK duty: the standard rate is 6%, with a 0% suspension for purity of 99.8% or more, excluding mixtures. Before sale in Great Britain, confirm the importer's classification responsibilities with HSE and ensure correct labelling and packaging. Cambridge China Bridge sources tetrahydrofuran.
Tetrahydrofuran duty and purity
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, tetrahydrofuran falls under 2932 11 00 00 within heading 2932, covering heterocyclic compounds with oxygen hetero-atoms only. The standard duty for goods from China is 6%. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
The autonomous suspension gives 0% duty for tetrahydrofuran with purity of 99.8% or more. It excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing different components. Ask for batch-specific purity evidence before claiming it. The tariff record attaches an export waste control; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance and any requirements if the consignment is waste.
Confirm the commodity code against the substance identity, composition and grade. The table shows buying descriptions sharing the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes. See the wider furan chemicals guide for related substances.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetrahydrofuran | 2932 11 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify purity, water and stabiliser
Write the intended use into the purchase specification. Agree assay, water content, peroxide acceptance criteria, stabiliser identity and content, and whether virgin or recovered material is acceptable. Request a certificate of analysis for the actual production batch and a safety data sheet matching the supplied composition.
Before placing imported chemicals on the Great Britain market, confirm the importer's classification responsibilities with HSE and ensure correct labelling and packaging. Resolve your UK REACH position before ordering: importing a tonne or more of a substance annually brings registration responsibilities, which an appointed Only Representative may fulfil. Arrange dangerous goods transport for this flammable solvent.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of tetrahydrofuran below the suspension purity threshold under 2932 11 00 00, 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 and assay: compare independently tested material from sealed drums with the batch certificate and agreed specification, including evidence supporting any purity-based suspension claim.
Water and stabiliser: check water content, stabiliser identity and measured content against the purchase specification; distinguish deliberately unstabilised material from an unexplained omission.
Peroxides: obtain batch peroxide results and agree competent sampling and testing arrangements before opening or using stock.
Drums and documents: check seals, damage, leakage, batch numbers, dangerous goods labels and UN packaging marks. Match the certificate and safety data sheet to the delivered lot during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Tetrahydrofuran can form peroxides when exposed to air or stored without stabiliser. A supplier's generic certificate can conceal a batch with unsuitable stabiliser content or water contamination. Agree batch testing and storage instructions before dispatch, and hold material that fails the purchase specification.
A high-purity sales description does not establish suspension eligibility for the delivered composition. Check the actual assay and any added components with your broker rather than assuming every tetrahydrofuran order receives the suspended rate.
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 tetrahydrofuran from China?
The standard rate is 6%. A 0% suspension applies to tetrahydrofuran with purity of 99.8% or more, excluding mixtures and preparations. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do I need UK REACH registration for tetrahydrofuran?
Importing a tonne or more of the substance annually brings UK REACH registration responsibilities. Confirm whether you register or an appointed Only Representative covers your imports.
What should a tetrahydrofuran batch certificate show?
Ask for substance identity, batch number, assay, water, peroxide results and stabiliser identity and content, with test methods. Compare these with the agreed specification and delivered drums.
Can tetrahydrofuran travel as ordinary cargo?
It is a flammable solvent shipped as dangerous goods. Agree the classification, packaging and transport arrangements with your carrier before dispatch.