Sourcing annatto colourant from China

Annatto colourant: 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 November 2026, vegetable-origin colouring matter and preparations under 3203 00 10 00 carried 0% duty from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Heading 3203 covers vegetable- or animal-origin colouring matter, including dye extracts but excluding animal black. The table shows annatto forms sharing the vegetable-origin code, rather than separate tariff classifications.

The tariff attaches veterinary control and import and export controls for CITES and waste. For annatto shipments from China, confirm the veterinary requirement with your customs broker against the full formulation. CITES-listed species need the relevant permits; confirm whether the ingredients are concerned. If the shipment is waste subject to notification, it cannot move until the authorities of dispatch, destination and transit have consented. Have your broker confirm which controls apply before shipping.

Give your broker the composition, extraction process, carrier and intended use when confirming the commodity code. These descriptions concern colourant preparations, so do not assume that whole annatto seeds have the same classification. See the natural colours and dyes guide for the wider heading.

Specify the annatto form and food application

Name bixin or norbixin in the purchase specification, then define powder or liquid form, carrier ingredients and whether the product must disperse in oil or water. Agree colour strength, its test method and the basis on which results are reported. Compare samples in your actual recipe under its mixing, heating and storage conditions.

For food use, check the intended application against the Food Standards Agency register and obtain the applicable purity specification. Ask the supplier to identify extraction solvents and provide batch analysis against that specification. Annatto colours and mixtures containing them may not be sold directly to consumers; plan business supply accordingly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of annatto colourant preparation under 3203 00 10 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,500, so it is £5,100. 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

Identity and composition: check that the batch documents name the agreed bixin or norbixin form and list the carriers and other ingredients.

Colour strength: test a representative sample using the agreed method, and compare the shade with the approved reference in your own recipe.

Dispersion and stability: check for sediment, specks, separation or colour change after the actual mixing, heating and storage process.

Purity and packing: compare batch analysis with the applicable specification, arrange contaminant and residual-solvent checks, and inspect seals, moisture damage and batch references. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A sample can match the required shade while the delivered batch has lower colour strength or a different carrier. Poor dispersion leaves streaks or specks, liquid preparations separate, and powders cake after moisture enters the pack. Colour can also change during processing or storage.

Approve the formulation and a retained reference sample before ordering. Define acceptance criteria using your recipe, compare each incoming batch with that reference, and investigate any change in composition or extraction method before accepting repeat supply.

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.