Sourcing trimethylamine from China

Trimethylamine duty: 6%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2921 covers amine-function compounds. Trimethylamine and its salts share code 2921 11 00 00 with methylamine and dimethylamine. Goods from China carry 6% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded for this line.

The tariff data attaches an export control for waste to this line. It is labelled as an export measure; the importer should confirm any requirement relevant to the consignment with their customs broker, particularly if the material is waste rather than a newly manufactured chemical.

Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity, salt form and full composition. Do not assume every formulated preparation belongs in this line. The dimethylamine guide provides related coverage within the wider heading.

Specify trimethylamine form and assay

State whether the order is trimethylamine, an aqueous solution or a named salt. For solution orders, agree the concentration, assay basis, water content and permitted methylamine and dimethylamine impurities. Request a batch certificate of analysis with the test methods, and agree packaging, closure materials and receiving arrangements before shipment.

For Great Britain, importers must classify, label and package substances and mixtures under GB CLP before placing them on the market. Obtain an English safety data sheet matching the supplied composition. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require a safety data sheet.

Establish who holds the UK REACH registration responsibility. Where a new registration is required and notification provisions do not apply, complete registration before manufacture or imports reach 1 tonne per year. For a solution, count the imported substance rather than treating the whole solution as a separate registered substance.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pilot consignment of trimethylamine solution under 2921 11 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 6% is £390. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,890, so it is £1,378. Import taxes total £1,768; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £390 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the purchase order, container labels, safety data sheet and batch certificate to trimethylamine and its agreed form.

Assay: compare batch results with the agreed concentration and impurity specification; arrange suitable laboratory testing rather than relying on appearance.

Packaging: check externally for damage, leakage and compromised closures, and confirm that the agreed packaging has been supplied.

Release: reconcile batch references and quantities, check the English safety data sheet and hazard labels, and hold discrepant stock pending review.

What goes wrong

An assay stated on a dry basis can be mistaken for the concentration of the delivered solution. A certificate covering a different batch, an unspecified salt or unagreed dilution can leave the buyer with material unsuitable for the process. Put the reporting basis and acceptance criteria in the purchase specification.

Packaging and documents can describe different concentrations or forms. Resolve these differences before dispatch and hold affected deliveries pending review. A safety data sheet informs the workplace risk assessment; it does not replace that assessment.

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.