How to export brandy from the UK to China

Start with the manufacturer's registration

Brandy and other spirits fall under HS 220820/220890. For ordinary imports, the manufacturer applies to GACC itself or through an agent; confirm the product category in GACC's registration system before relying on this route. GACC Decree 280 requires overseas food manufacturers to register, including drinks under our reading of the Food Safety Law. Allow months, not weeks for approvals; the Chinese authority decides.

HMRC recorded £1.1m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 220820, 220890 in 2025 (2024: £1.6m, -33.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £364k. January to July 2026: £228k against £370k in the same months of 2025 (-38.6%).

The largest UK export line under these codes was 22089069, spirituous beverages in containers holding <= 2 l, at £479k. These are HS-line totals, rather than brandy sales alone. The UK-China food safety MoU took effect on 29 January 2026, opening the cooperation mechanism for simplified batch registration of UK food manufacturers.

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The listed Chinese tariff lines have the following MFN rates. Import VAT has a standard rate of 13%, subject to the VAT Law's exceptions, and is calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to the spirits. Border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price an importer can offer.

Prepare the bottle label and standards review

Ordinary imports of prepackaged spirits need a compliant Chinese label stating origin and the domestic agent's name, address and contact details. Chinese instructions are required where applicable. The registered manufacturer's China registration number, or its home-authority-approved number, must appear on the packaging. Include GB 2757-2012, the food safety standard for distilled spirits and their prepared alcoholic drinks, in the product review before finalising the artwork.

Arrange the UK declaration and excise handling

Classify the spirits before export: HS 220820 covers spirits distilled from grape wine or grape marc; HS 220890 covers other spirits and undenatured ethyl alcohol below 80% vol. Exports from England, Wales or Scotland require a GB EORI. Give the declarant the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references for the online export declaration.

HMRC's Excise Notice 196 lists goods for export among goods that will not bear UK excise duty. Confirm how your particular consignment will be moved and declared with your excise adviser; the notice is not a substitute for agreeing the shipment's excise arrangements.

Assess cross-border retail separately

The cross-border retail import list includes 22082000, 22089010, 22089020 and 22089090. For 22089010 and 22089090, it excludes goods listed in the wildlife trade catalogue that cannot provide the specified certificate confirming a species outside that catalogue. Check the ingredients and tariff line before choosing this channel.

Listed goods imported through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to emergency and suspended-area exceptions. The overseas business must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declaration and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice explaining that the goods may have no Chinese label and that a Chinese electronic label can be viewed on the website; the goods may not be resold.

Find and check an importer before committing stock

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and, for cross-border retail, the cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners in China; your own filings remain yours. Use our export-to-China service to discuss the spirits and the proposed buyer.