How to export dried fruit from the UK to China

Start with the dried-fruit registration route

Dried fruit and raisins fall within our reading of GACC’s recommended dried-fruit category; confirm the exact product in GACC’s registration system. Under GACC Decree 280, the manufacturer applies itself or through an agent and also needs its country’s competent authority to audit the plant and provide an audit report and recommendation letter. Allow months, not weeks; the Chinese authority decides registration.

The coverage here is UK exports under HS 0804-0813 (12 subheadings). Some headings include fresh fruit, so classify your actual product before using these totals. The largest UK export line was 08134095, other edible dried fruit, at £135k; this is an HS-code total.

HMRC recorded £369k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 12 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £83k, +344%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £26k. January to July 2026: £0 against £242k in the same months of 2025 (-100%). These are UK exports under HS 0804-0813 (12 subheadings).

Price against the Chinese tariff line

Raisins use Chinese tariff line 08062000, with an MFN rate of 10%. Dried apricots, prunes and apples each carry 25%, while mixtures under 08135000 carry 18%. The rates for the individual Chinese tariff lines appear below; the avocado line also has a provisional rate of 7% for 2026. Duty and import VAT add to the importer’s landed cost and shape the price it can offer you.

The VAT Law sets a standard import VAT rate of 13% and a 9% rate for agricultural products, without defining that term. Have the importer’s customs broker confirm the rate for your dried fruit and whether consumption tax applies. Import VAT uses the customs value plus customs duty plus any applicable consumption tax.

Prepare the pack for Chinese retail

For prepackaged dried fruit, prepare a compliant Chinese label naming the place of origin and the domestic agent’s name, address and contact details. The manufacturer’s China registration number, or its home-authority-approved number, must appear on the packaging. Check artwork against current requirements and GB 7718-2025, which takes effect on 16 March 2027, before committing to a print run.

Keep exporter and importer paperwork aligned

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and classify the fruit under the correct UK commodity code.

Arrange the export declaration with value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing-list references. Separately, the overseas exporter or agent files with GACC and the importer files with its local customs office. The manufacturer’s registration number must be entered correctly on the Chinese declaration; customs will not accept a declaration completed otherwise.

Check the limited cross-border retail option

The cross-border retail list includes 08041000, 08042000, 08043000, 08044000, 08045010 and 08045020, covering dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas and mangoes. Each entry says “bonded online purchases only”. For any proposed raisin or other dried-fruit SKU, have the importer’s customs broker confirm its own list entry and remarks before choosing this channel.

Eligible cross-border retail goods are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to the stated epidemic and emergency-risk 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, and the goods may not be resold.

Find and check a Chinese buying partner

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand about the fruit, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to discuss that work.

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 brand’s own filings remain yours. We check the registration and label work with those partners.