Sourcing tin dioxide from China
Tin dioxide from China carries 4% UK import duty, with no suspension or trade remedy listed for its commodity line. Before supplying it in Great Britain, settle the UK REACH route and check chemical classification, labelling and packaging. Specify assay and particle size by batch. Cambridge China Bridge sources tin dioxide.
Tin dioxide duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2825 covers inorganic bases and metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides. Tin dioxide falls within the tin oxides and hydroxides line, 2825 90 85 10. Goods from China carry 4% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension listed. The descriptions below are purchasing variants sharing the same tariff line.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For material from China, establish whether it is waste before shipment: waste shipment controls apply only to waste. If waste status or the applicable procedure is unclear, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement before dispatch.
Confirm the commodity code against the composition and supplied form, particularly for formulated polishing compounds or blended ceramic materials. See the wider inorganic bases and metal oxides guide for other products in this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tin dioxide | 2825 90 85 10 | 4% | None |
Specify tin dioxide powder for your process
State that you want tin dioxide, rather than tin monoxide or an unspecified tin oxide. Agree assay, individual impurity limits, particle size distribution, moisture, colour and the test methods used. Ask whether the powder contains additives or has a surface treatment. Compare a sample in your actual glaze, polishing or laboratory process before approving the production specification.
Require a certificate of analysis tied to each supplied batch and agree sealed inner packing. For Great Britain, confirm the applicable UK REACH registration route with HSE, including whether coverage through an only representative is appropriate. Check classification, labelling and packaging before supplying the chemical; provide a safety data sheet where required.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of tin dioxide powder under 2825 90 85 10, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,100. Duty at 4% is £244. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,344, so it is £1,268.80. Import taxes total £1,512.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £244 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: check the stated chemical identity and composition against the order, sample and batch certificate.
Laboratory: independently check assay, agreed impurities and particle size using the agreed methods; retain a sealed reference sample.
Packing: check inner seals, powder leakage, wet bags, hard agglomerates and legible batch identification.
Documents: match the batch certificate, safety information and packing list to the delivered stock; check the agreed UK REACH route and applicable labels.
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What goes wrong
A quote for “tin oxide” can leave the chemical identity unclear. A passing assay alone does not establish suitable particle size, dispersion or polishing behaviour. Ask the supplier to identify the oxide and report the agreed properties, then compare the production batch with the approved sample.
Treat wet packing, unexpected colour, hard lumps or mismatched batch records as reasons to hold the stock for investigation. Agree sampling and acceptance criteria before shipment. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
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 tin dioxide from China?
The supplied tariff reading gives 4% for 2825 90 85 10, with no suspension, anti-dumping or countervailing measure listed.
Do I need UK REACH registration for tin dioxide?
For Great Britain, confirm with HSE whether your imports require UK REACH registration or can be covered through an only representative. Confirm the route before ordering.
What should a tin dioxide specification include?
Chemical identity, assay, individual impurity limits, particle size distribution, moisture, colour, additives or surface treatment, packing and agreed test methods.
Does the tariff waste control apply to new tin dioxide?
Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. The tariff attaches waste controls to this line; ask your customs broker to confirm any unclear waste status or requirement.