Sourcing Zeolite Cracking Catalysts from China

Duty depends on the catalyst formulation

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 3815 covers reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations not elsewhere specified or included. The table gives classification candidates for cracking preparations and supported grades. It does not mean every zeolite catalyst fits every row. For other processes, see the wider catalyst guide.

The selected lines have a 6% base duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. Conditional 0% suspensions appear under 3815 19 90 90 and 3815 90 90 90. Their supplied descriptions are incomplete, so confirm the full suspension wording before claiming relief. The listed cracking-additive line excludes Y-type zeolite and base catalysts and has no suspension recorded.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls to these lines. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For spent or regenerated material from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirement before shipping. Confirm the commodity code using composition, active substance, support and intended reaction.

Specify the zeolite and cracking duty

State whether you need a base catalyst or a cracking additive. Specify zeolite identity and content, matrix and binder, active metal where present, particle-size distribution, bulk density, moisture, surface area and attrition resistance. Describe the feedstock and intended operating conditions, then agree the activity test and acceptance criteria.

Ask the factory to identify whether the material is fresh or regenerated and provide a batch certificate of analysis. Confirm UK REACH responsibilities for imported substances, including substances within mixtures, with HSE before ordering. Before supply in Great Britain, ensure the chemical is correctly labelled and packaged.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of a zeolite cracking additive matching the listed description under 3815 90 90 55, invoiced at £90,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £92,500. Duty at 6% is £5,550. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £98,050, so it is £19,610. Import taxes total £25,160; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £5,550 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare the batch composition and zeolite identity with the approved sample and purchase specification.

Physical condition: check moisture, caking, particle-size distribution and attrition against agreed limits.

Activity: test a representative sample under the agreed cracking conditions and retain a sealed batch sample.

Packaging: check sealed liners, batch identification, chemical labels and evidence of wetting or powder leakage.

What goes wrong

An additive is offered as a base catalyst, a regenerated lot is described as fresh, or a composition change is hidden behind the same grade name. Activity testing and batch identity checks help catch substitutions before the material enters the buyer's process.

Weak particles generate fines, moisture causes caking, and an activity result obtained under different feedstock conditions gives a misleading comparison. Agree sampling and test conditions before ordering. Do not assume that another zeolite catalyst's suspension applies to a cracking preparation.

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.