Sourcing trimethylindium from China

Trimethylindium duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2931 covers other organo-inorganic compounds. Trimethylindium, chemical identity 3385-78-2, with a purity by weight of 99% or more is listed under 2931 90 00 43. Chinese-origin goods carry 6% duty, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The other table entries are heading comparisons, not alternative descriptions of trimethylindium.

The supplied tariff record attaches “Export control on dangerous chemicals” and “Export control - Waste”. Confirm their relevance to the China-to-UK shipment with your customs broker. HSE states that chemical prior informed consent notifications are not required for imports; confirm whether any other listed-chemical duties apply. Waste shipment controls apply only to material that is waste. Ask the broker to resolve any waste status question before dispatch.

Confirm the commodity code against the chemical identity, composition and purity. Do not assume that a solution or lower-purity material fits the named line. For wider heading context, see trimethylgallium sourcing.

Specify purity and source vessel compatibility

Describe the trimethylindium by chemical identity, intended process and required purity. Agree individual limits for moisture, oxygen and metallic impurities, the analytical methods and reporting limits. Request a certificate of analysis tied to the dispatched batch. A headline purity claim alone does not establish suitability for your deposition process.

Agree the source vessel drawing, valve connections, fill mass, tare mass, sealing arrangements and transfer procedure with the receiving laboratory. Ask for leak-test records and written handling instructions. Check UK REACH registration coverage before ordering. HSE identifies importers as responsible for chemical classification; hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use require safety data sheets.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business trial consignment of sealed trimethylindium source vessels under 2931 90 00 43, 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, vessel label, safety data sheet and batch certificate to trimethylindium.

Analysis: check actual batch results and reporting limits against the agreed trace-impurity specification.

Vessel: compare connection drawings, valve protection, seals and leak-test records with the approved specification.

Arrival: check outer packaging, vessel identification and recorded fill mass without opening the source vessel for a routine visual inspection. Refer damage or suspected leakage to the receiving site's specialist team.

What goes wrong

A certificate can report overall purity without resolving the trace impurities your process needs controlled. Another failure is a source vessel that cannot connect to the receiving equipment. Resolve these points through batch-specific analysis and approved connection drawings before dispatch.

A warehouse inspection cannot establish deposition performance. Agree a controlled process trial with the receiving laboratory and define acceptance against your own process results before arranging repeat supply.

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.