Zeolites and lithium iron phosphate from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 2842 covers other salts of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, including aluminosilicates whether or not chemically defined, other than azides. All 13 lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure: double or complex silicates including listed synthetic beta and chabazite zeolite powders, fluorphlogopite and an AEI aluminosilicate; selenium and tellurium salts; lithium iron phosphate; potassium peroxymonosulphate sulphate; two lead chromate pigments; and others.

Lead chromate molybdate sulphate red and lead sulfochromate yellow have their own lines here; see our pigments guide on the authorisation they need. Confirm the commodity code.

Chemical rules

Importers of one tonne or more a year of a substance need a UK REACH registration position, and safety data sheets follow UK REACH while labels follow the retained CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Lead chromate pigments are on the UK REACH authorisation list, so they cannot be used in Great Britain without an authorisation covering the use.

Specifying the material

For zeolites, specify framework type, silica to alumina ratio, particle size, surface area, cation form and moisture. For lithium iron phosphate, specify carbon coating, particle size distribution, tap density, specific capacity and impurity limits for iron, copper and magnetic particles, and packing under dry conditions. For lithium in metal form, see our lithium metal sourcing guide. For anode material sourcing, see our natural graphite guide.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 10 tonnes of lithium iron phosphate cathode powder under 2842 90 20 00. At £68,000 free on board and £3,000 to ship and insure, the customs value is £71,000. With 0% duty on lithium iron phosphate, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £71,000, or £14,200. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Analysis: check each lot's certificate for composition, particle size and impurities, and verify a sample in an independent laboratory.

Performance: for cathode powder, build test cells and check capacity; for zeolites, test adsorption or catalytic activity. For copper foil sourcing, see our copper foil and clad laminate guide.

Packing: check moisture barrier liners, drum or bag integrity and lot labels.

What goes wrong

These orders fail on lot consistency, impurities and moisture. Cathode powder varies in capacity between lots, metal or magnetic impurities cause cell failures, zeolites arrive with the wrong cation form, and powders absorb moisture.

Qualify a lot in your process before scaling. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources zeolites, cathode materials and inorganic salts for UK manufacturers, checking the producer's analysis and lot control first. See factory verification.