Sourcing unactivated fuller's earth from China

Duty and controls for unactivated fuller's earth

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 2508 covers other clays and specified refractory minerals. The supplied other-clays line, 2508 40 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. The table shows purchasing forms against this same tariff line.

The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. For a Chinese shipment into England under waste notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in China for consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the material is waste and the requirements for its destination and route, particularly for spent or recovered earth.

Use the mineral composition, additives and processing history to confirm the commodity code. Do not choose it from the name on the bag alone. Compare the treatment described in the activated bleaching earth guide when a supplier offers an activated alternative.

Specify the clay and its absorption performance

Describe the intended industrial use and specify unactivated material. Ask the supplier to identify the mineral composition, deposit, drying and milling processes, any acid treatment and any additives. Agree moisture, particle-size distribution, bulk density and absorption performance against a retained sample.

Test the sample with the liquid and equipment you actually use. For filtration trials, compare colour removal, flow and liquid retention. A supplier's absorption result is difficult to compare unless the test liquid, method and reporting basis match. Arrange testing and certification support around your application.

Under UK REACH, your business must identify and manage the risks presented by substances it manufactures and places on the market in Great Britain. Confirm the applicable REACH position before ordering. Substances and mixtures must also be correctly labelled and packaged before being placed on the market. Obtain composition and safety information for the actual grade.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 25 tonnes of unactivated fuller's earth in bulk bags under 2508 40 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,000, so it is £1,800. 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: match the batch report, mineral description and processing declaration to the approved unactivated sample.

Performance: repeat the agreed absorption or filtration trial using your specified liquid and method.

Condition: check moisture, caking, particle size, excessive fines and contamination when the goods arrive.

Packing: check bag integrity, batch identification, declared net weight and pallet stability; photograph wet or leaking bags before moving them.

What goes wrong

An order described only as fuller's earth leaves room for a different clay blend or treatment. The delivered material may absorb less than the approved sample, hold too much liquid or slow filtration. Record the mineral identity, processing history and application test in the purchase specification.

Moisture ingress causes caking, while handling can break granules into fines. Fine clay dust can contain respirable crystalline silica, so ask for quartz and cristobalite information and plan dust control during unloading and use. Keep suspect lots separate until their condition and performance have been checked.

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.