Sourcing zinc phosphate from China

Zinc phosphate duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 2835 covers phosphinates, phosphonates, phosphates and polyphosphates. For zinc phosphate, the relevant candidate is other phosphates, 2835 29 90 00: 4% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Only this supplied line is relevant to the focused table.

The tariff attaches an import waste control to this line. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For recovered or discarded material from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirement before shipment. The line also lists export waste and dangerous-chemical controls; confirm these separately if planning an onward export.

Provide the chemical identity, composition, hydration state and intended use when checking the commodity code. Ask for a separate classification review for modified pigments or formulated preparations. See phosphates and STPP for the wider heading.

Specify the zinc phosphate grade

State whether you need zinc phosphate powder for a coating formulation or material for another process. Agree chemical identity, hydration state, zinc and phosphate content, moisture, soluble salts, particle size and test methods. Identify any surface treatment or added ingredients rather than accepting a trade name as the specification.

Approve a sample in your own formulation. Record dispersion, settling, viscosity and coating performance against your acceptance criteria. Request a batch certificate of analysis and safety data sheet. Confirm any applicable UK REACH registration responsibilities with HSE or your customs broker, providing the substance identity and annual volume; agree the position before purchasing.

Chemical classification and labelling laws establish a duty to classify chemicals. Arrange a review of the supplied material's classification and proposed labels before selling it.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one tonne of zinc phosphate powder under 2835 29 90 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,720 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,720. Duty at 4% is £188.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,908.80, so it is £981.76. Import taxes total £1,170.56; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £188.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match bag markings, batch references and certificates to the agreed zinc phosphate grade and composition.

Analysis: test representative batch samples for agreed zinc and phosphate content, moisture and soluble impurities using the contracted methods.

Powder: check particle size, hard lumps and dispersion in the buyer's formulation against the approved sample.

Packing: inspect liners, seals and pallets for moisture or leakage; compare delivered weights and batch quantities with shipment records.

What goes wrong

A supplier's zinc phosphate trade name can conceal a modified composition or a different hydration state. A chemically acceptable batch may still disperse poorly or settle differently in your formulation. Keep composition and application acceptance criteria in the purchase specification.

Damp bags and hard agglomerates complicate handling and dispersion. Missing batch references make certificates difficult to match to stock. Hold affected material for assessment and agree the disposition before blending it into production.

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.