Sourcing Triethylenetetramine from China

TETA duty and the residual polyamine line

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2921 covers amine-function compounds. Triethylenetetramine belongs within the residual acyclic-polyamine line, 2921 29 00 90, carrying 6% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is shown. The table presents purchasing variants sharing this line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

The line has a suspension to 0.00 %, but its footnote names aminopropyldimethylamine, not TETA. Do not apply that suspension to TETA. The attached waste measure is labelled as an export control. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; ask your customs broker to confirm the attached measure's relevance to your shipment, especially for recovered or off-specification material.

Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition and supplied form. A formulated hardener needs its own classification assessment. See the diethylenetriamine guide for related products within the wider heading.

Specify TETA composition and curing performance

Specify triethylenetetramine by chemical identity and agreed composition, rather than accepting an unspecified ethyleneamine blend. Agree assay, water, colour, amine value, impurity reporting and analytical methods. For epoxy use, compare the offered batch with an approved sample in your actual resin system, checking working time and the cured result.

Confirm UK REACH registration arrangements with HSE before ordering. Chemicals supplied to the Great Britain market need correct classification, labelling and packaging. Hazardous chemicals supplied for use at work need a safety data sheet; obtain an English version matching the offered composition and packaging.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative drum-packed pilot batch of triethylenetetramine under 2921 29 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,500. Duty at 6% is £450. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,950, so it is £1,590. Import taxes total £2,040; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £450 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase specification, batch certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and container labels.

Analysis: compare batch assay, water, colour and amine value with agreed acceptance criteria; retain a traceable sample.

Packaging: check container compatibility, closures, seals and evidence of leakage or contamination before accepting delivery.

Process trial: test the delivered batch in your intended resin or synthesis process before releasing it for routine production.

What goes wrong

A TETA trade name can conceal a composition different from the approved sample. An assay result alone may miss differences in water, impurities or the amine profile. Those differences can upset the buyer's process, so make the composition and test methods part of the order.

Mismatched batch paperwork, leaking closures and a generic safety data sheet leave the buyer unable to assess the delivered material confidently. Hold affected stock pending investigation. A supplier's claim that the tariff line is suspended also needs checking against the named substance in the footnote.

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.