Sourcing tungsten carbide-cobalt from China
The supplied tariff facts show a single 4% rate for ready-to-press tungsten carbide-cobalt mixtures with organic binder, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. GB importers must arrange competent chemical classification and labelling before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources tungsten carbide-cobalt powder mixtures.
Duty on ready-to-press powder mixtures
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant line within heading 3824 is 3824 30 00 20. It covers homogeneous, free-flowing, spherical or granular ready-to-press tungsten carbide powder mixed with metallic powder and/or other carbides and an organic binder. The supplied facts show 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table shows variants sharing this supplied line.
The tariff attaches an import control for waste. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For imports into England under notification controls, the Chinese exporter starts the consent process with the dispatch authority. Shipment requires consent from the Environment Agency and other authorities involved; the Environment Agency must approve the financial guarantee for a non-EU import. Confirm the applicable waste procedure with your customs broker before shipping reclaimed material.
The supplied tariff also lists export restrictions concerning waste and goods for torture and repression; ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to any onward export. Match the complete formulation and powder form when finding your commodity code, rather than applying this line to every carbide-cobalt blend. For related finished products, see cemented carbide saw tips.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spherical ready-to-press tungsten carbide-cobalt powder with organic binder | 3824 30 00 20 | 4% | None |
Specify the carbide, cobalt and pressing binder
Specify tungsten carbide grain size separately from granule size, cobalt content and tolerance, additional carbides, total carbon, oxygen, moisture and organic binder identity and content. Agree apparent density, flow behaviour, sampling methods and acceptance limits. Ask for a batch analysis certificate and a pressing and sintering trial using your process before approving a repeat order.
For Great Britain, arrange competent classification and labelling, and ensure correct labels and packaging before placing the mixture on the market. Hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet. Check UK REACH registration coverage for each constituent whose aggregated annual imports reach 1 tonne, rather than treating the mixture as a single registered substance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of ready-to-press powder in sealed drums under 3824 30 00 20, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,400. Duty at 4% is £1,136. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,536, so it is £5,907.20. Import taxes total £7,043.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,136 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: compare independent batch results for cobalt, carbon, oxygen and added carbides with the agreed specification and supplier certificate.
Powder behaviour: check grain and granule distributions, moisture, apparent density and flow; compare pressed and sintered trial pieces with the approved sample.
Packing: check drum seals, liners, net contents and batch identities on arrival; photograph leakage, caking or damaged containers before acceptance.
Documents: match the formulation, safety data sheet, hazard labels and batch analysis certificate. Agree retained samples and the inspection scope using quality inspection explained.
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What goes wrong
A matching grade name can hide different cobalt content, carbide grain size or pressing binder. Excess moisture, inconsistent granulation and contamination can change die filling or sintering behaviour. Specify measurable acceptance criteria and compare samples from the delivered batch with the approved formulation.
A supplier may describe recovered powder as fresh material, or provide a certificate for another batch. Ask for production history and traceable samples, and clarify waste status before dispatch. Keep suspect drums separate while the supplier and laboratory investigate.
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 tungsten carbide-cobalt powder from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 4% for qualifying ready-to-press powder under 3824 30 00 20, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension.
Does every tungsten carbide-cobalt blend use this commodity code?
The supplied line describes homogeneous, free-flowing, spherical or granular ready-to-press powder with an organic binder. Confirm the code from the actual composition and form.
Does UK REACH apply to an imported powder mixture?
Check registration coverage for each constituent whose aggregated annual imports reach 1 tonne. The mixture itself is not registered as a single substance.
What should I test before accepting a powder batch?
Check cobalt and carbon content, oxygen, moisture, grain and granule distributions, density and flow against agreed limits. Run a pressing and sintering trial and retain a traceable sample.