Sourcing bonsai trees from China

Bonsai tariff lines carry 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 0602 covers other live plants, including roots, cuttings and slips, and mushroom spawn. Bonsai trees fall within this live-plant heading, with classification depending on the plant and its presentation. See the wider live plants guide. The table gives candidate classifications, rather than confirmation that a species can be imported.

The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls and organic-product import controls; the selected outdoor lines also have invasive-alien-species controls. Check CITES permit requirements for the species. For the organic, invasive-species and export controls, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirement before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the botanical identity, indoor or outdoor classification, maturity, root presentation and any applicable flowering or height distinction. Separately check plant health risk categories with APHA and confirm any importer registration, phytosanitary certificate, pre-notification, checks and fees required for the exact goods. Duty-free status does not establish permission to import.

Specify the tree, roots and growing medium

Specify the botanical species and cultivar, indoor or outdoor use, trunk thickness, plant height, branching style and acceptable pruning scars. Describe the root ball, growing medium, pot material, drainage and whether training wire stays attached. Approve photographs of the actual stock, rather than relying on a catalogue tree.

Some plants are prohibited from entering Great Britain. Before ordering, ask APHA to confirm the position for the exact species from China and the proposed growing medium. Agree how the nursery will secure pots and root balls, protect branches and manage moisture during transport. Request batch identification that connects the plants with their shipment documents.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A small nursery consignment of potted indoor bonsai trees (illustrative) under 0602 90 99 10, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,900, so it is £1,380. 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: compare botanical names, batch labels, quantities and stock photographs with the order and shipment documents.

Tree condition: check broken branches, bark damage, pruning wounds, leaf condition and wire cutting into the trunk.

Roots and medium: check root-ball stability, moisture, odour, visible insects and signs of decay without unnecessarily disturbing the roots.

Pots and packing: check drainage, cracked pots, movement inside cartons and crushed foliage. Record arrival condition with photographs.

What goes wrong

A supplier substitutes a different species or ships trees unlike the approved photographs. Loose pots damage roots and branches; unsuitable moisture leaves roots dry or waterlogged. Put acceptance criteria and the response to damaged or mismatched stock in the purchase agreement. Use a quality inspection brief that covers living plants as well as packaging.

Import paperwork and onward-sale paperwork need separate planning. Online sales directly to customers buying for personal use still require a UK plant passport. Plan this before offering imported bonsai for sale, alongside checking species admissibility and the applicable import documents.

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.