Sourcing Tributylphosphine from China
Tributylphosphine has a standard UK duty of 6% on the relevant residual line. Its 0% suspensions are substance-specific; confirm eligibility before claiming relief. Check UK REACH registration obligations and ensure correct chemical labels and packaging before GB supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources tributylphosphine.
Tributylphosphine duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2931 covers other organo-inorganic compounds. The relevant candidate for tributylphosphine is 2931 49 80 90, the residual line for other non-halogenated organo-phosphorus derivatives. Only this residual line is relevant to the product covered here.
The supplied facts show 6% standard duty for Chinese-origin goods and no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on this line. They also show 0.00 % substance-specific suspensions, but a suspension note is truncated. Do not assume tributylphosphine qualifies; ask your customs broker to confirm the complete conditions. The line attaches an export control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; confirm any China-to-UK waste requirements with your broker.
Give your broker the chemical identity, assay, additives and any solvent composition to confirm the commodity code. Treat a solution or formulated product as a separate classification question. For related compounds within the wider heading, see the triphenylphosphine guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tributylphosphine, subject to confirmation of composition | 2931 49 80 90 | 6% | None |
Specify assay, oxidation impurities and container closure
Write tributylphosphine explicitly in the purchase specification. Distinguish it from tributyl phosphate, tributylphosphine oxide and phosphonium salts. State whether you want neat material or a solution, identify any solvent, and agree the assay method, water limit, oxidation impurity limits and batch acceptance criteria.
Agree container material, closure, inert filling arrangements, sampling procedure and storage instructions with the supplier and your receiving laboratory. Request a batch certificate of analysis with actual results. Compare a trial batch with your current material in the intended process before approving repeat supply.
Ask HSE to confirm whether UK REACH registration obligations apply to your annual import volume and intended use; registration is per substance and legal entity. Check your registration position before ordering. Chemicals must be correctly labelled and packaged before entering the GB market. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need safety data sheets.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a small batch of tributylphosphine in sealed containers under 2931 49 80 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,480. Duty at 6% is £208.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,688.80, so it is £737.76. Import taxes total £946.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £208.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase order, container label and batch certificate to tributylphosphine and the agreed neat or solution form.
Analysis: compare assay, water and phosphine oxide results with the agreed limits; check that the test method matches the specification.
Containers: inspect seals, closures and exterior damage on arrival. Keep suspect containers separate and follow the agreed handling procedure.
Documents: check batch traceability, chemical labels, safety data sheet and supplier storage instructions against the delivered material.
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What goes wrong
Similar chemical names can lead to substitution, while a solvent solution can be quoted against a neat-material specification. Assay alone can conceal an unsuitable impurity profile. Ask for separate oxidation impurity and water results, and agree how discrepancies will be assessed.
Poor closure or sampling can compromise the material before the buyer tests it. Agree sampling and container handling in advance, retain batch evidence, and investigate unexpected analytical results before using the lot. A factory certificate should be checked against the agreed acceptance method.
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 tributylphosphine from China?
The relevant residual line shows 6% standard duty and no trade remedy. It also has substance-specific suspensions; a supplied note is truncated, so confirm eligibility with your broker.
Is tributylphosphine the same as tributyl phosphate?
No. Specify the exact chemical identity and check it against the container label and batch analysis. Similar names are insufficient for purchasing or classification.
What should a tributylphosphine certificate of analysis include?
Batch identity, assay, water and oxidation impurity results, with the test methods and agreed acceptance limits. For solutions, include the solvent identity and concentration.
Does a small order avoid chemical supply requirements?
Small quantity alone does not remove correct labelling and packaging duties. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need safety data sheets. Check UK REACH obligations separately.