Sourcing Trichloroethylene from China
Trichloroethylene from China carries 4% UK duty, with no applicable suspension shown in the supplied tariff data. Confirm UK REACH authorisation coverage or an exemption for the intended use before ordering, then agree purity and stabilisers. Cambridge China Bridge sources trichloroethylene.
Trichloroethylene duty and tariff controls
Heading 2903 covers halogenated derivatives of hydrocarbons. Trichloroethylene falls within the residual unsaturated chlorinated derivatives line, 2903 29 00 90. The table repeats this line for different purchasing specifications, rather than separate tariff classifications. Confirm the actual composition, particularly for recovered material.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied line carries 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure shown. Its autonomous suspension applies only to trans-dichloroethylene, not trichloroethylene. The line also attaches dangerous-chemical export and waste-export controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to the transaction; these entries describe export controls.
Confirm the commodity code against the substance identity, stabilisers and any other constituents before shipment. For the neighbouring solvent within the wider heading, see sourcing perchloroethylene. Its tariff treatment should not be copied onto a trichloroethylene order.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichloroethylene, virgin material | 2903 29 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the use, purity and stabiliser package
Start with the intended process and the buyer's authorisation position. HSE guidance identifies continued trichloroethylene use as requiring authorisation. Check whether the intended use is exempt under UK REACH before placing an order. Also check registration responsibilities for the importing business; registration is assessed per substance and legal entity.
Specify virgin or recovered material, purity, water content, acidity, non-volatile residue and the identity and content of stabilisers. Agree test methods and acceptance criteria with the receiving laboratory. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and a safety data sheet matching the supplied grade. Confirm compatibility with the process equipment, seals and packaging.
The importer should arrange competent classification review. HSE states that everyone in the supply chain is responsible for correct labelling and packaging before chemicals are placed on the market. Have the drum artwork and packaging reviewed before filling, rather than correcting them after arrival.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of trichloroethylene for a specialist chemical distributor under 2903 29 00 90, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,500. Duty at 4% is £980. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,480, so it is £5,096. Import taxes total £6,076; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £980 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the product name, batch reference and declared composition across the invoice, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and drum label.
Batch quality: compare purity, water, acidity, residue and stabiliser results with the agreed specification. Arrange laboratory sampling through trained personnel.
Packaging: check closures, seals, corrosion, damage and evidence of leakage at dispatch and arrival. Record affected batch references and isolate damaged containers.
Use coverage: check that the intended process and supply arrangements match the authorisation or documented exemption being relied on before releasing material for use.
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What goes wrong
A buyer changes supplier without checking whether the new supply arrangement fits the authorisation position. A factory's statement that the solvent is suitable for degreasing does not establish that position. Resolve the intended use and supply arrangements before committing to shipment.
Recovered solvent can be supplied against a virgin-material specification, while an unspecified stabiliser package leaves the buyer unable to assess suitability. Chlorinated solvents with inadequate stabilisation can become acidic and attack metal and drums. Require batch evidence, retain traceability and hold material that fails the agreed specification.
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 trichloroethylene from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 4% under 2903 29 00 90. The suspension on that line is limited to trans-dichloroethylene and does not cover trichloroethylene.
Can I import trichloroethylene for degreasing?
Check authorisation coverage or an applicable exemption for the intended use before ordering. Do not assume that suitability for your machine establishes permission to use the solvent.
What should a trichloroethylene certificate of analysis include?
Ask for batch identity, purity, water, acidity, non-volatile residue and stabiliser identity and content, with test methods and results against your agreed specification.
Can I accept recovered trichloroethylene?
Only consider it against an explicit recovered-material specification. Check composition, impurities, stabilisers and traceability, and confirm its tariff classification and intended-use position.