Sourcing tricresyl phosphate from China
Tricresyl phosphate from China sits within heading 2919's flat 0% duty range, subject to confirming the residual commodity code. Great Britain buyers need UK REACH coverage where applicable and correct chemical labelling and packaging before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources tricresyl phosphate.
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Zero duty and the residual commodity line
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2919 covers phosphoric esters and their salts, including lactophosphates and specified derivatives. Its lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. Tricresyl phosphate is not separately named in the supplied facts; the residual line 2919 90 00 90 is the classification candidate. That line records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste to that line. These are labelled as export measures in the supplied facts. For a shipment from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether any requirement applies to the exact substance and shipment, especially if the material is recovered or supplied as waste.
All table entries describe buying specifications under the same residual line. Give your broker the chemical identity, composition and intended use to confirm the commodity code. The phosphate flame retardants guide covers the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tricresyl phosphate, industrial mixed-isomer grade | 2919 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the cresyl isomers and qualified grade
Specify tricresyl phosphate by its full chemical identity and agreed composition. Ask for the isomer profile, including ortho-containing components, rather than accepting an assay figure alone. The Environment Agency report identifies the toxicity concern associated with ortho-isomers. Agree acceptance limits and analytical methods with your technical buyer, together with acidity, water, colour, viscosity and free cresol checks.
Qualify the supplier's grade in your plastic, coating or lubricant formulation before ordering bulk material. Confirm with HSE the applicable UK REACH registration requirements and whether an only representative arrangement can cover your imports. Registration is per substance and legal entity. Before sale in Great Britain, ensure chemical labels and packaging are correct.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of industrial tricresyl phosphate in sealed drums under 2919 90 00 90, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £980 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,480. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,480, so it is £896. 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 drum labels, batch certificate and purchase specification; check that the supplier has supplied tricresyl phosphate rather than trixylyl phosphate or another phosphate ester.
Composition: compare batch assay and isomer results with the approved sample and agreed ortho-component specification; request the underlying analytical report when results are unclear.
Condition: check acidity, water, colour and viscosity against the agreed methods and limits; inspect representative samples for haze, sediment or unexpected colour.
Packaging and documents: check seals, leaks, batch traceability and chemical labels. Obtain the English safety data sheet and reconcile it with the supplied grade. If supplying onward, pass safety data sheet information to your customer.
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What goes wrong
A purchase description that says only phosphate plasticiser leaves room for substitution. A certificate can also show acceptable total assay while omitting the isomer profile or free cresol results. Make these checks explicit in the order and hold an unexplained batch for review before putting it into production.
A formulation trial on an approved sample does not establish that the delivered batch matches it. Compare the arrival results with the retained sample and batch certificate. If the supplier changes composition or offers a formulated blend, ask your broker to reassess classification. Use the inspection guide to agree sampling and release 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 tricresyl phosphate from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% for residual line 2919 90 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that this line fits your exact composition.
Do I need UK REACH registration for tricresyl phosphate?
Check coverage for the actual substance and importing business before ordering.
What should I specify for low-ortho tricresyl phosphate?
Agree an ortho-component acceptance limit, the isomer profile and an analytical method with your technical buyer. Ask for batch results rather than relying on a low-ortho description.
What paperwork should accompany tricresyl phosphate drums?
Ask for a batch certificate with the agreed composition and physical tests, an English safety data sheet and matching batch labels. Pass safety data sheet information onward when supplying customers.