Sourcing triisobutyl phosphate from China
Triisobutyl phosphate from China falls provisionally under the other phosphoric esters line at 0% UK duty, with no tariff variation shown for this product. Check UK REACH coverage and ensure correct labelling and packaging before supplying it in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources triisobutyl phosphate.
UK duty on triisobutyl phosphate
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2919 covers phosphoric esters and their salts, including lactophosphates, and specified derivatives. Triisobutyl phosphate is not separately named in the supplied tariff lines. The residual line, 2919 90 00 90, carries 0% duty for goods from China, subject to confirming the product's classification.
The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for that line. The tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to your China import and any subsequent export. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste; confirm that status if offered recovered or off-specification material.
Only the residual line is relevant to this product in the supplied facts. Confirm the commodity code using the chemical identity, composition and intended shipment. The tributyl phosphate guide provides related heading context; do not assume its product specification also describes triisobutyl phosphate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other phosphoric esters, including triisobutyl phosphate, subject to classification | 2919 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the isomer and the process test
Write triisobutyl phosphate in the purchase specification and request the chemical identity and composition. Distinguish the branched-chain material from straight-chain tributyl phosphate. Agree assay, water, acidity, colour and residual alcohol limits with your technical team, together with the analytical methods and a certificate of analysis for each batch.
If buying it for foam control, approve a sample in your actual process liquid. Record the addition method, foam response, separation behaviour and any effect on the finished product. Agree whether the order is the neat substance or a formulation; added carriers change what you are buying and testing.
For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the applicable UK REACH registration requirements and whether an only-representative arrangement covers your imports, taking account of annual volume. Registration is per substance and legal entity. Chemicals must be correctly labelled and packaged before being placed on the market. A safety data sheet is required if the chemical is hazardous and supplied for workplace use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative sealed-drum trial order of triisobutyl phosphate under 2919 90 00 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,480, so it is £696. 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: compare the order, drum labels and batch certificate; use an identity and assay test capable of distinguishing the agreed material from other phosphate esters.
Batch quality: test water, acidity and colour against the agreed specification; compare results with the approved sample rather than accepting a generic supplier certificate.
Process performance: repeat the agreed application test on an arrival sample before releasing the batch into production.
Packing and documents: inspect seals, closures and leakage; match batch references and check the label and safety information against the supplied composition.
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What goes wrong
A quotation may shorten the name to tributyl phosphate and leave the isomer unclear. A sample can also represent a different batch or a diluted formulation. Resolve these differences before ordering, retain the approved sample and make composition and test methods part of the purchase specification.
An acceptable assay alone does not establish acceptable process performance. Investigate unexpected water, acidity, colour or foam behaviour before using the batch. Arrange quality inspection around identity, batch sampling and your application test.
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 triisobutyl phosphate from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% on the residual phosphoric esters line, 2919 90 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm classification for your actual product.
Is triisobutyl phosphate the same as tributyl phosphate?
The names can conceal an isomer difference. Specify triisobutyl phosphate explicitly and require identity evidence; do not approve straight-chain tributyl phosphate as a substitute without a technical review.
Do I need UK REACH coverage for triisobutyl phosphate?
For Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the applicable registration requirements and whether an only-representative arrangement covers your annual imports. Match any coverage to the substance and your importing legal entity.
What should I test before accepting a batch?
Check identity, assay, water, acidity and colour against the agreed methods and limits. Repeat the approved process test and inspect drum seals, leakage and batch references.