How to export cookware from the UK to China

Choose the route for each product

For cookware, cutlery and kitchen utensils, agree each item's material, use and classification with your importer before choosing a sales route.

HMRC recorded £570k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 21 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £559k, +2.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £1.2m. January to July 2026: £234k against £423k in the same months of 2025 (-44.7%). These are UK exports under HS 7323-8215 (21 subheadings).

The largest UK export line was 73231000, covering iron or steel wool and pot scourers, at £178k; this is an HS-code total, not cookware sales alone. GACC Decree 280 covers overseas food producers, processors and storage enterprises, so its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to these goods. Have the importer's customs broker confirm the requirements for each proposed item before shipment.

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The listed Chinese tariff lines have the MFN rates shown below. Most covered lines carry 7%, while 74182000 carries 9% and 76152000, 82100000 and 82111000 carry 8%. Use the Chinese tariff line for the actual item when discussing landed cost and the price your importer can offer.

Import VAT is generally 13%, subject to the VAT Law's exceptions and special rules. Its base is the customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to this product. Duty and import VAT add to landed cost, so a supplier quotation alone is insufficient for setting the Chinese selling price.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and classify each item using the correct UK commodity code. The online export declaration needs the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates. Keep descriptions consistent across the item specification, quotation and shipment paperwork so your importer can assess the Chinese classification.

Check whether cross-border retail fits

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list covers only part of this category: 73231000, 73239100, 73239200, 73239300, 73239420 and 73239490. These include scourers, cast-iron and stainless-steel household articles, and specified enamelled steel articles. Match the actual product to a listed Chinese line before planning this route; the wider range of knives and utensils should not be treated as eligible on that basis.

Listed goods imported through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles. First-import licence, registration and filing requirements are not applied, subject to the stated epidemic-area and emergency-risk exceptions. The overseas business remains primarily responsible for quality and safety and must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declarations and shared civil liability.

Consumers must accept a risk notice before ordering: origin-country standards may differ from Chinese standards, goods may lack Chinese labels with Chinese electronic labels available online, and purchases are for personal use and cannot be resold. The limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person. This route therefore needs a consumer retail plan rather than a plan to supply distributors with resale stock.

Check the importer before committing stock

Assess a prospective importer's proposed product range, classification and sales route before agreeing a shipment. 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 any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain with licensed partners in China; the brand's own filings remain the brand's. Use our export-to-China service to arrange the company checks and preparation around the cookware you intend to sell.