How to export Canned fruit from the UK to China

Start with the manufacturer's registration route

Canned and prepared fruit requires manufacturer registration. Under GACC Decree 280, the manufacturer applies itself or through an agent; confirm the product category in GACC’s registration system. The food safety MoU effective on 29 January 2026 established the cooperation mechanism needed for simplified batch registration of UK food manufacturers. Confirm with GACC whether that route is available for your manufacturing site. Plan for approvals to take months, not weeks; the Chinese authority decides. For baby food, see our guide to exporting baby food to China.

Under HS 2006-2008 (12 subheadings): HMRC recorded £24k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 12 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £53k, -54.6%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £32k.

UK exports under HS 2006-2008 (12 subheadings): January to July 2026: £0 against £4k in the same months of 2025 (-100%). The largest listed UK export line was 20060010, ginger preserved by sugar, at £20k.

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The 2026 Customs Import and Export Tariff gives the MFN rates below. Classification matters particularly within 200899 and for 200893. Import VAT is generally 13%, with 9% for specified goods including agricultural products; have the importer’s customs broker confirm the applicable treatment and whether consumption tax applies. VAT uses customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax as its base. These charges increase landed cost and shape the price an importer can offer.

Prepare the label and canned-food standard review

Imported prepackaged fruit requires a compliant Chinese label identifying origin and the domestic agent’s name, address and contact details. Show the manufacturer’s China registration number or its home-authority-approved number on the packaging. For canned products, include GB 7098-2025, Canned Foods, in the standards review. Check artwork against current labelling rules and GB 7718-2025, which takes effect on 16 March 2027, before committing to a packaging run.

Set up the UK export declaration

Classify each fruit product and find its UK commodity code; the Chinese tariff line needs its own confirmation. Exports from England, Scotland or Wales require a GB EORI number and an online export declaration. Give the declarant the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references. The carrier needs the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates.

Check whether the retail cross-border route fits

Cross-border retail eligibility is partial: listed lines are 20060090, 20082090, 20083010, 20084010, 20085000 and 20086090. They cover certain sugar-preserved goods, pineapple, canned citrus, canned pears, apricots and cherries. For 20060090, goods in the wild fauna and flora trade catalogue are excluded unless the specified non-catalogue-species certificate from China’s endangered-species import and export management office can be provided. Check the exact product and remark before choosing this route.

Listed goods using 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, truthful declaration and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice, including possible differences from Chinese standards, possible absence of a Chinese label with an online Chinese e-label, and no resale.

Find and check the 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. Use our export-to-China service to arrange that work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners’ roles in China, while your brand’s own filings stay yours. We check with licensed partners.