Sourcing aciclovir tablets from China

Zero duty on finished aciclovir tablets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 10 October 2026, heading 3004 covers medicines in measured doses or retail packaging. Finished aciclovir tablets are candidates for 3004 90 00 00, carrying 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows pack variants sharing this tariff line.

The tariff attaches controlled-drug, CITES, seal-product and free-circulation import controls. Controlled substances require Home Office licensing; listed species require CITES permits. Seal products are prohibited unless an exemption applies. These controls call for a composition check, rather than an assumption that every tablet needs every permit. For the free-circulation restriction concerning ozone-depleting substances, confirm the applicable declaration with the customs broker. The record also lists export controls for controlled drugs, CITES, mercury and goods for torture and repression.

Confirm the commodity code using the full formulation, dosage form and packaging. Agree how the broker will address each attached control before dispatch. The wider medicines guide explains the licensing chain.

Specify the authorised aciclovir tablet

Start with the exact product covered by the UK marketing authorisation. Specify aciclovir content per tablet, excipients, tablet appearance, any score line, pack quantity, blister or bottle construction, approved artwork and storage conditions. Agree the remaining shelf life at delivery in the purchase specification.

For imports from China into Great Britain, confirm with the MHRA which manufacturer's licence and Qualified Person batch-certification arrangements apply. Check that the Chinese manufacturing site and its good manufacturing practice status suit the product's authorisation. A sourcing inspection supports supplier qualification; it does not replace pharmaceutical batch release.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 500,000 aciclovir tablets in blister packs, illustrative only under 3004 90 00 00, invoiced at £80,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £84,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £84,000, so it is £16,800. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Batch testing: match the certificate of analysis to the delivered batch and authorised specification; arrange identity, assay and dissolution checks within the importer's quality system.

Tablets and packs: inspect samples for chipped tablets, inconsistent appearance, damaged blisters, loose closures and missing units.

Artwork and traceability: compare cartons, foils and leaflets with the approved text; match strength, batch number and expiry date to the batch documents, and check carton Braille.

Transport records: review temperature logger data against labelled storage conditions, and investigate damaged seals or wet cartons before release.

What goes wrong

A supplier offers a different strength, excipient mixture or pack from the authorised product. Artwork is copied from another market, batch documents do not match the cartons, or acceptable-looking tablets fail assay or dissolution. Resolve discrepancies through the importer's quality system before accepting the batch.

Missing manufacturing-site evidence or unreviewed transport excursions can stop release despite zero customs duty. Agree the document handover and responsibility for investigating deviations before ordering, and keep affected stock separate while the licensed importer decides its disposition.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.