How to export Fruit juice from the UK to China

Choose the route for your juice

Fruit and vegetable juice is an easy start category in our judgement, but registration is still required. The manufacturer applies to GACC itself or through an agent; confirm the product category in GACC's registration system. The UK food safety MoU effective from 29 January 2026 opened the cooperation mechanism for simplified batch registration. Agree the route for your manufacturing site before preparing the shipment.

The following trade figures describe UK goods exports under HS 2009-2009 (17 subheadings).

HMRC recorded £830k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 17 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £394k, +110.6%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £349k. January to July 2026: £399k against £658k in the same months of 2025 (-39.5%). These are UK exports under HS 2009-2009 (17 subheadings).

Register the factory and arrange the UK export

GACC Decree 280 requires overseas food manufacturers to register. Registration is valid for five years, and the pack must show the China registration number or the number approved by the home authority. The overseas exporter or agent also files with GACC, while the importer files with its local customs office. Plan for approvals to take months, not weeks; the Chinese authority decides.

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI, classify the juice and arrange the online export declaration. Give the declarant the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates. Agree who supplies each item before booking transport.

Price against the actual Chinese tariff line

The 2026 Customs Import and Export Tariff gives frozen orange juice a 7.5% MFN rate, compared with 30% for the other orange juice lines. Apple juice under 20097900 attracts 10%; the other listed lines attract 5%. The largest UK export line under HS 200950 was 20095090 at £653k. Its UK code is distinct from Chinese tariff line 20095000, so agree the Chinese classification before quoting.

Duty and import VAT add to landed cost and shape the price an importer can offer. The VAT Law sets a standard import rate of 13%, with 9% for listed goods including agricultural products. Have the importer's adviser confirm the rate for the juice and whether consumption tax applies. Import VAT uses customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax as its base.

Prepare the Chinese pack and standards review

For ordinary imports, prepackaged juice must carry a compliant Chinese label stating the place of origin and the domestic agent's name, address and contact details. Without a compliant Chinese label, it may not be imported. Put the manufacturer's required registration number into the packaging review alongside the Chinese artwork.

GB 7101-2022 is the national food safety standard for beverages. Arrange a review of its application to the juice alongside the formulation and packaging: imported food packaging, labels and marks must comply with Chinese law and national food safety standards. Supply the formulation and proposed artwork together so the review concerns the product you intend to ship.

Check whether retail cross-border sales fit

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list covers only part of this juice range: 20091200, 20091900, 20092100, 20092900, 20093110 and 20093190. These cover specified orange, grapefruit and unmixed citrus juices. Confirm the exact listed line before choosing the channel; this partial listing does not cover the whole category.

Listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licensing, registration and filing requirements disapplied subject to the stated risk exceptions. The overseas business must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration and truthful declaration, sharing civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice: goods may lack a Chinese label, a Chinese electronic label is available online, and resale is prohibited.

Find and check the Chinese buyer

Use our export-to-China service to find and check prospective buyers. 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 the cross-border route, the required agent remain with licensed partners in China; the brand's own filings stay the brand's. We check with licensed partners. Bring the juice specification, proposed Chinese tariff line and pack artwork into those discussions.