Sourcing triphenylphosphine oxide from China
Triphenylphosphine oxide from China has a standard UK duty of 6% under the residual organophosphorus line. The supplied record does not establish suspension eligibility for this substance. Chemical classification applies regardless of quantity. Cambridge China Bridge sources triphenylphosphine oxide.
Standard duty and substance-specific relief
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2931 covers other organo-inorganic compounds. For separately supplied triphenylphosphine oxide, check the residual non-halogenated organophosphorus line, 2931 49 80 90, against the exact composition. The table shows purchasing variants sharing this line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied line has a standard duty of 6% for goods from China and no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. It also lists substance-specific suspensions at 0.00 %, but the supplied suspension wording is truncated and does not visibly name triphenylphosphine oxide. Budget at the standard rate until your broker confirms any entitlement against the complete wording.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an export waste control to this line. Ask your customs broker to confirm any requirement relevant to an import from China, especially for recovered material or process residues. Confirm the commodity code using identity and composition. For the wider heading, see triphenylphosphine sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triphenylphosphine oxide, technical grade | 2931 49 80 90 | 6% | None |
Specify oxide identity, assay and impurities
Write triphenylphosphine oxide in the purchase specification and distinguish it from triphenylphosphine and other phosphine oxides. Agree the assay method, whether results are reported on a dry basis, and acceptance limits for water, residual solvents and residual triphenylphosphine. Specify appearance, particle form and packaging. Ask whether the material is newly manufactured or recovered, and request a batch-specific certificate of analysis.
Chemical classification applies regardless of quantity. Labels and packaging must be correct before supply to the Great Britain market. A safety data sheet is required when hazardous chemicals are supplied for workplace use. Check the UK REACH registration position for the actual substance and importing business: registration is per substance, per legal entity. Agree independent testing before committing to a batch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 kg of laboratory-grade triphenylphosphine oxide; illustrative order only under 2931 49 80 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 6% is £268.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,748.80, so it is £949.76. Import taxes total £1,218.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £268.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase order, container labels and analysis certificate; test identity rather than relying on the trade name.
Assay: compare the batch result and test method with the agreed specification, including water, residual solvents and residual triphenylphosphine.
Condition: check for discolouration, foreign particles, unexpected odour and caking; compare a representative sample with the approved sample.
Packaging: check seals, liners, damage, net contents and batch references; reconcile the safety information with the actual material.
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What goes wrong
A high assay can conceal water or solvent when the reporting basis is unclear. Recovered material can bring impurities from the original process, while a generic certificate may describe a different batch. Treat discolouration, odour or caking as reasons to investigate. Hold material that fails the agreed checks rather than blending it into accepted stock.
Another phosphine oxide appearing in a suspension list does not establish relief for this product. The supplied list is incomplete, so ask the broker to check the full substance description before claiming relief. Make the supplier's specification, invoice description and batch evidence consistent.
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 triphenylphosphine oxide from China?
The supplied residual line carries 6% standard duty, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Its incomplete suspension wording does not establish relief for triphenylphosphine oxide.
Do small laboratory orders need chemical classification?
Yes. HSE says classification applies regardless of the tonnage, volume or amount supplied. Confirm the classification of the actual material, including relevant impurities.
What should a triphenylphosphine oxide analysis certificate include?
Ask for batch identity, assay, test method, reporting basis, water, residual solvents and residual triphenylphosphine, with results against your agreed acceptance limits.
Can I buy recovered triphenylphosphine oxide?
Ask about its original process and purification, test relevant impurities and confirm whether the shipment is a product or waste. Have your broker check the attached tariff control before shipment.