Sourcing titanium oxides from China
Titanium oxides from China, including titanium dioxide powder in rutile and anatase grades, pay 0% UK duty on all 6 lines of heading 2823. Rutile titanium dioxide from China has been under an anti-dumping registration since 27 March 2026 during a Trade Remedies Authority investigation, so duty could later be applied to imports made since then.
Titanium dioxide and other titanium oxides from China pay 0% UK duty, but rutile TiO2 has been registered for possible anti-dumping duty since March 2026.
0% duty, with a registration
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 2823 covers titanium oxides. Its lines are split by use, other than or for the production of white graphic inks for printing, and within each by a listed high-purity titanium dioxide, other titanium dioxides of at least 80% TiO2 on the dry matter, and other titanium oxides. All 6 lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no tariff suspension.
The four titanium dioxide lines, the listed high-purity grade and other titanium dioxides of at least 80% TiO2 for each use, carry an anti-dumping or countervailing registration from 27 March 2026; the two lines for other titanium oxides do not. Importers declare additional code 8A60 for rutile titanium dioxide from China and 8A61 for other products. Registration means that, if the Trade Remedies Authority recommends duty, it can be applied retroactively to registered imports, so build that risk into contracts.
Titanium dioxide pigments and preparations are covered in our pigments and titanium dioxide guide; confirm the commodity code from the product's TiO2 content and form.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed high-purity titanium dioxide, not for white graphic inks | 2823 00 00 10 | 0% | Registration from 27 Mar 2026 (rutile, code 8A60) |
| Other titanium dioxides of 80% or more TiO2, not for white graphic inks | 2823 00 00 30 | 0% | Registration from 27 Mar 2026 (rutile, code 8A60) |
| Other titanium oxides, not for white graphic inks | 2823 00 00 40 | 0% | None |
| Listed high-purity titanium dioxide, for white graphic inks | 2823 00 00 80 | 0% | Registration from 27 Mar 2026 (rutile, code 8A60) |
| Other titanium dioxides of 80% or more TiO2, for white graphic inks | 2823 00 00 83 | 0% | Registration from 27 Mar 2026 (rutile, code 8A60) |
| Other titanium oxides, for white graphic inks | 2823 00 00 85 | 0% | None |
Chemical and food rules
Importers of one tonne or more a year need a UK REACH position, and the safety data sheet and any labelling follow the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008; ask the supplier how the powder is classified for inhalation.
Food-grade titanium dioxide (E 171) must meet the specification on the FSA register of authorised food additives, so check its current status and conditions of use for your product before ordering.
Specifying titanium dioxide
Specify crystal form (rutile or anatase), process (chloride or sulphate), TiO2 content, surface treatment (alumina, silica, zirconia, organic), particle size and oil absorption, brightness and tint strength against a reference, dispersibility in your system, and bag or bulk packing.
Worked duty example
Take a hypothetical order of 20 tonnes of rutile titanium dioxide in 25 kg bags, entered under 2823 00 00 30: £44,000 free on board plus £2,200 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £46,200. Titanium dioxide carry no duty, so import VAT of 20% on £46,200, £9,240, is the only tax. A VAT-registered importer normally reclaims it, so the border adds no lasting cost. Because rutile titanium dioxide from China has been registered since 27 March 2026, any anti-dumping duty imposed at the end of the investigation could be collected on imports made after that date. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.
Inspection checklist
Grade: check TiO2 content, crystal form and surface treatment on the certificate of analysis, and compare brightness and tint strength with the approved reference in your own test.
Performance: run dispersion and gloss tests in your paint, plastic or ink system on each new lot.
Documents: keep the exporter's details and the declared additional code with each entry because of the registration.
What goes wrong
Titanium dioxide orders fail on grade, consistency and trade remedy exposure. Anatase or lower-grade material is supplied as rutile, tint strength varies between lots, dispersion is poor in the customer's system, and buyers ignore the registration and later face retroactive duty.
Test each lot and price in the registration risk. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources titanium dioxide for UK paint, plastics and ink makers, checking the producer's grade and process first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on titanium dioxide from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, titanium dioxide under 2823 carried 0% from China, but rutile grades have been registered since 27 March 2026.
What does the anti-dumping registration mean?
If duty is later imposed, it can be applied retroactively to registered imports made since the registration date.
Which additional code applies to rutile TiO2?
8A60 for rutile titanium dioxide from China, and 8A61 for other products under the code.
Are TiO2 pigment preparations in heading 2823?
Pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide are heading 3206; see our pigments guide.