How to export fish oil from the UK to China

Confirm the oil and the import route

Fish oil and marine oils fall under HS 150410 for fish-liver oils, 150420 for other fish fats and oils, and 150430 for marine-mammal oils and fats. Their Chinese tariff lines are 15041000, 15042000 and 15043000. For edible oils, confirm the competent-authority recommendation route in GACC's registration system. The largest UK export line to China was 15042090, other fish fats and oils and liquid fractions, at £913k in 2025.

HMRC recorded £922k of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 150410, 150420, 150430 in 2025 (2024: £220k, +318.4%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £152k. January to July 2026: £664k against £597k in the same months of 2025 (+11.2%).

The manufacturer must lead registration

GACC Decree 280 requires overseas food manufacturers to register. For the recommended route, the manufacturer applies itself or through an agent and obtains its country's competent-authority recommendation, supported by a plant audit report and recommendation letter. The process takes months, not weeks, and the Chinese authority decides. For this category, our help is limited to preparation, finding and checking a Chinese importer, and coordinating licensed partners; the manufacturer's own filings remain its responsibility.

The overseas exporter or agent must also file with GACC, and the importer must file with its local customs office. Put the manufacturer's China registration number, or the number approved by its home authority, on the packaging. The overseas manufacturer's registration number must also be entered correctly on the import declaration, otherwise customs will not accept it.

Price against the correct tariff line

The listed Chinese tariff lines have the MFN rates below. Import VAT is generally 13%, with 9% applying to specified goods and other special rules possible; have the importer's customs broker confirm the oil's treatment and whether consumption tax applies. VAT uses the customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. These border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.

Prepare the pack and UK export paperwork

For ordinary trade, prepackaged oil needs a compliant Chinese label, including origin and the domestic agent's name, address and contact details, plus Chinese instructions where required. Check artwork against the current requirements and GB 7718-2025, which takes effect on 16 March 2027. Align the manufacturer's registration number on the pack with the details supplied for the import declaration.

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and select the correct UK commodity code. Prepare the online export declaration with value, weight, packaging, destination, transport, and invoice and packing-list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates. Agree responsibility for the declaration before arranging collection.

Bonded e-commerce has product-specific limits

The retail import list includes 15041000, 15042000 and 15043000, all restricted to online bonded purchases. For 15042000 and 15043000, it excludes goods in the wildlife import/export species catalogue unless they can provide the certificate from China's endangered-species import/export management office confirming a species outside that catalogue. Check the oil's species and this condition before selecting the channel.

Qualifying retail imports are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to the stated suspension and emergency-risk exceptions. They may not be resold. The overseas business bears primary quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declaration and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice, including possible differences from Chinese standards and Chinese labelling.

Find and check the Chinese importer

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached you, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Establish whether the proposed buyer wants ordinary-trade stock or bonded retail sales, and have its customs broker confirm the tariff line, species restrictions and tax treatment before agreeing the commercial price.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and, for cross-border retail, the required domestic agent remain with licensed partners in China; your own filings remain yours. Use our export preparation service for preparation, importer checks and coordination with those partners.