Sourcing Tributyl Phosphate from China
Tributyl phosphate falls for consideration under other phosphoric esters, carrying 0% UK duty from China, subject to code confirmation. Check UK REACH registration coverage and the importer's chemical classification responsibilities before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources tributyl phosphate.
Tributyl phosphate duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 2919 covers phosphoric esters and their salts, including lactophosphates, and their specified derivatives. Tributyl phosphate is not separately named in the supplied lines; confirm whether your substance belongs under 2919 90 00 90, other phosphoric esters. Only this residual line is relevant to the product covered here.
The supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. The tariff also attaches dangerous-chemical export control and waste export control entries. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance and any requirements for your China-to-UK shipment.
Confirm the chemical identity, composition and intended presentation with your broker using our commodity code guide. For neighbouring substances, see the phosphate flame retardants guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tributyl phosphate, subject to confirmation under other phosphoric esters | 2919 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify tributyl phosphate by composition
Specify tributyl phosphate explicitly rather than accepting a generic phosphate ester description. Agree assay, water content, acid value, colour and the impurity profile with the factory. Record the test methods and acceptance limits in the purchase specification, and qualify a sample in your own extraction, solvent or formulation process.
For imports into Great Britain, check UK REACH registration coverage where annual imports reach one tonne or more, including any only representative arrangement. Registration is per substance and legal entity. Chemical classification is the responsibility of suppliers, including importers. Ask for an English safety data sheet and review it alongside the agreed composition before buying.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative shipment of 20 tonnes of tributyl phosphate in sealed drums under 2919 90 00 90, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,500, so it is £6,900. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the product name, factory batch reference and certificate of analysis to the purchase specification and delivery documents.
Composition: check assay and impurities against the approved sample, using the agreed analytical method rather than accepting a generic purity statement.
Water and acidity: test the delivered batch against your agreed limits and check colour, haze and sediment.
Packing: check seals, leakage, drum condition and batch labels; retain a representative sample and compare the accompanying safety data sheet with the supplied material.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A phosphate ester offered as an equivalent may have a different composition from the tributyl phosphate you qualified. A satisfactory assay can also conceal water, acidity or impurities that matter in your process. Compare the full specification and trial results before accepting a substitution.
Certificates can become detached from the actual delivered batch, while damaged seals undermine confidence in the contents. Hold discrepant material apart until identity and batch results are resolved. Our quality inspection guide explains how to organise checks.
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 tributyl phosphate from China?
The supplied other phosphoric esters line, 2919 90 00 90, carries 0% duty from China, with no trade remedy recorded. Confirm that this code covers your tributyl phosphate.
Do I need UK REACH registration for tributyl phosphate?
Check registration coverage when annual imports into Great Britain reach one tonne or more, including any only representative arrangement. Registration is per substance and legal entity.
What should I specify when buying tributyl phosphate?
Agree identity, assay, water, acid value, colour, impurities and test methods. Qualify the sample in your intended process and use that specification for batch acceptance.
What should I check when tributyl phosphate arrives?
Match the batch documents, inspect seals and leakage, and test identity, assay, water and acidity against the agreed specification. Retain a representative sample.