Sourcing animal fat fractions from China
Heading 1503 carries 0% UK duty across all listed lines for China. Ordinary food-grade lard and tallow fractions from China cannot be imported into Great Britain under the animal-origin food restrictions. Industrial purchases need a separate eligibility check. Cambridge China Bridge sources animal fat fractions.
Zero duty does not establish import eligibility
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 1503 covers lard stearin, lard oil, oleostearin, oleo-oil and tallow oil, not emulsified, mixed or otherwise prepared. Every listed line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Every line has veterinary and waste import and export controls attached. The other-use lines also have organic import control. These attachments do not establish that a Chinese consignment is eligible. The official China food restrictions prohibit animal-origin foods except listed exceptions; ordinary lard and tallow fractions are not listed. This guide's border guidance concerns Great Britain.
For industrial goods, ask APHA and your customs broker to confirm Chinese-origin eligibility, the animal species, processing route and veterinary documents before ordering. The tariff attaches veterinary control; confirm its application to your exact goods. For waste, confirm the shipment requirements with your broker and environmental authority. For organic food imports from China, a consignment inspection certificate is required. Confirm the commodity code using composition and intended use.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lard stearin and oleostearin for industrial uses | 1503 00 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Other lard stearin and oleostearin | 1503 00 19 00 | 0% | None |
| Tallow oil for industrial uses excluding human food manufacture | 1503 00 30 00 | 0% | None |
| Other products, including lard oil and oleo-oil | 1503 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the fraction, species and intended use
State whether you need a solid stearin fraction or a liquid oil fraction, the animal species and source, and whether the material is intended for food, feed or industrial processing. Do not accept a specification that describes only 'animal oil'. Record fractionation and refining steps and any mixing, emulsification or further preparation.
Agree melting behaviour, acid value, peroxide value, moisture, insoluble impurities, colour and odour against a retained sample. Specify sealed packing and storage conditions suitable for the agreed fraction. For industrial rendered fats, official guidance requires production in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain. Use factory verification to check the producer's identity and records.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative only: 20 tonnes of industrial tallow oil, conditional on import eligibility under 1503 00 30 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,000, so it is £6,800. 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. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Most food for human consumption is zero-rated, and animal feed can be too, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product in HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare the species, fraction and intended use on the order, batch analysis and shipping documents.
Condition: sample for acid value, peroxide value, moisture and insoluble impurities; compare melting behaviour and odour with the approved sample.
Packing: check seals, leaks, contamination, batch markings and storage records on arrival.
Documents: check the agreed import route and establishment records before loading. Match the delivered batch to its analysis and supplier records. See quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A zero duty rate is mistaken for permission to import. A food-grade description does not overcome China's animal-origin food restrictions, and an industrial description does not by itself prove eligibility. Resolve the route before paying for production; keep the illustrative order conditional on that decision.
Commercial failures include a melting profile that does not suit the process, rancid odour, excess moisture, sediment and contamination from previously used containers. Agree acceptance criteria and sample each batch before shipment rather than relying on a generic supplier analysis.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on animal fat fractions from China?
All listed heading 1503 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record. No anti-dumping, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. Import eligibility is a separate question.
Can I import food-grade lard oil from China?
Ordinary food-grade lard oil cannot be imported into Great Britain from China: it is outside the listed exceptions to the animal-origin food prohibition.
Can industrial tallow oil be imported from China?
Do not assume eligibility. Ask APHA and your broker to confirm the country, species, establishment and intended-use route for your exact product before ordering.
What should I test in a stearin or tallow oil batch?
Agree melting behaviour, acid value, peroxide value, moisture and insoluble impurities. Compare colour and odour with the approved sample and check container cleanliness.