Sourcing unroasted molybdenite from China

Duty on unroasted molybdenite concentrate

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2613 covers molybdenum ores and concentrates. Its other line, 2613 90 00 00, is relevant to unroasted molybdenite concentrate. The table shows packing variants under the same code. For the roasted product within this heading, see our roasted molybdenum concentrate guide.

The supplied record shows 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions listed. It attaches import waste controls and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. Establish whether the shipment is mined concentrate or recovered material before booking transport.

Confirm the commodity code using the mineral identity and processing history. For waste from China imported into England under notification controls, the exporter applies in the dispatch country; shipment can begin only after consent from the Environment Agency and the other competent authorities involved. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable waste procedure and any export-control implications.

Specify dry-basis molybdenum and processing history

Describe the product as unroasted molybdenite concentrate and ask for its mine origin, beneficiation process and confirmation of any heat treatment. Agree molybdenum content on a dry basis, moisture, particle size and limits for copper, lead, arsenic and other impurities relevant to the receiving processor. Ask the processor to approve the specification before ordering.

Agree representative lot sampling, independent assay, sealed retained samples and a method for resolving assay disputes. State how moisture affects payable weight and how molybdenum content affects settlement. Specify packing, liners, closures and lot identification. Use factory verification to check the supplier's processing and sampling arrangements.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative bagged trial lot of unroasted molybdenite concentrate for a specialist processor under 2613 90 00 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £6,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £46,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £46,000, so it is £9,200. 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 unroasted description, origin, processing record and lot references to the order and assay documents.

Assay: independently sample the shipment and compare dry-basis molybdenum and agreed impurities with the processor's specification.

Moisture: check moisture and particle size; record wet pockets, caking and differences between bags.

Packing: inspect liners, closures, leakage and lot marks; reconcile delivered weights with shipment records. Plan the checks using our quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A selected supplier sample can give a better assay than the delivered lot. Uneven blending can hide impurity pockets, while moisture inflates wet weight and changes the dry quantity available for processing. Agree sampling and settlement terms before payment, then compare arrival samples with sealed retained samples.

Recovered residues described as concentrate can leave waste status unresolved. Settle that question before dispatch. For notified waste imported into England, the importer needs the relevant carrier, broker or dealer licence, and the recovery facility needs a permit or exemption covering the treatment.

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.