How to export Lamb from the UK to China

Confirm access before offering lamb

For Lamb and mutton, ask APHA to confirm access and the applicable health certificate: GOV.UK's China certificate list has no certificate for this product. The scope also includes goat meat under HS 020450. Frozen bone-in sheep cuts under UK line 02044290 were the largest listed export line at £27k. These products are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list, so do not plan around that route.

For UK exports under HS 0204-0204 (9 subheadings): HMRC recorded £30k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 9 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £3k, +1077.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £179k.

January to month 7 of 2026: £2k against £27k in the same months of 2025 (-91.8%). These are UK exports under the same HS codes, covering January to July 2026.

The manufacturer owns the approval work

Under GACC Decree 280, the manufacturer must apply for registration, itself or through an agent, and obtain its country's competent-authority recommendation, supported by a plant audit report and recommendation letter. Confirm the meat route in GACC's registration system and the plant listing with the relevant authority. Approval takes months, not weeks, and the Chinese authority decides.

The overseas exporter or agent must file with GACC, and the importer must file with its local customs office. Where entry quarantine approval is required, the importer must obtain the permit before signing the trade contract. Registration lasts five years, but meat registrations are not renewed automatically. Keep these steps separate from the manufacturer's own application.

Duty depends on the cut and temperature

The Chinese MFN rates below distinguish chilled and frozen sheep cuts, carcases and goat meat. Duty and import VAT add to landed cost and shape the importer's offer. VAT is generally 13%, with 9% for agricultural products; confirm the applicable treatment with the importer's customs broker. The VAT base is customs value plus duty plus consumption tax. The broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to this product.

Prepare meat marks and Chinese artwork

Fresh and frozen meat must carry firm, clear marks in Chinese and English, or Chinese and the exporting country's language, showing origin country, product name, plant registration number and batch number. The outer pack must also show specification, origin, destination, production date, shelf life and storage temperature in Chinese, and state that the destination is the PRC.

For prepackaged lamb, prepare a compliant Chinese label naming origin and the domestic agent's name, address and contact details, with Chinese instructions where required. Check the product against GB 2707-2016, the standard for fresh and frozen livestock and poultry products. The manufacturer's registration number must appear on packaging and be entered correctly on the import declaration.

Prepare the UK export declaration

Classify the actual cut, bone content and chilled or frozen condition before choosing the UK commodity code. Exports from England, Scotland or Wales need a GB EORI and an export declaration with the goods' value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing list references. Animal products have special certificate rules: resolve the lamb health certificate position with APHA before arranging shipment, and provide the carrier with the invoice and applicable certificates. For pork shipments, see our guide to exporting pork cuts to China.

Find and check a Chinese importer

Choose an importer able to explain the lamb permit, declaration, tariff and packaging work before negotiating a shipment. Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your business, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.

For lamb, our help is limited to preparation, finding and checking a Chinese importer, and coordinating licensed partners in China for registration and label work. The importer of record remains a licensed partner in China, and the manufacturer's own filings remain its responsibility. See our export support.