Sourcing broccoli seeds from China
Broccoli seeds for sowing have a 2% UK duty baseline, with a 0.00% tariff suspension subject to its conditions. Standard vegetable seed must meet purity and germination standards before marketing. Agree the variety, seed treatment and batch testing before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources broccoli seeds.
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Broccoli seed duty and suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 1209 covers seeds, fruit and spores of a kind used for sowing. Broccoli seeds sit within the other vegetable-seed category. The table shows buying specifications sharing commodity code 1209 91 80 10. For the wider heading, see sowing seeds.
The relevant line shows 2% third-country duty for goods from China and a 0.00% autonomous tariff suspension. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these seeds. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for this line. The tariff also attaches an organic-product import control.
For organic imports from China into Great Britain, obtain a certificate of inspection for each consignment, issued by the exporter's control body. Confirm the organic arrangements with your UK control body and customs broker before dispatch. Confirm the commodity code and suspension eligibility against the actual goods, especially coated, pelleted or mixed products.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calabrese broccoli seeds for sowing | 1209 91 80 10 | 2% | None |
Specify the broccoli variety and intended crop
Specify calabrese or sprouting broccoli, the exact variety name, hybrid or open-pollinated seed, and the intended sowing season and growing conditions. Agree whether the seed is untreated, treated, coated or pelleted. Request the treatment identity and batch history rather than accepting a description such as vegetable seed.
For marketing in England and Wales, your seed business needs a licence. Confirm the variety's listing and marketing eligibility before ordering. Standard vegetable seed must meet analytical purity, varietal purity and germination standards. Ask the supplier for batch-specific results and agree independent testing through testing and certification.
Seeds for producing broccoli heads and seeds intended for edible sprouts need different buying briefs. This guide concerns sowing seed. Ask the plant-health authority to confirm the import treatment for the exact botanical identity and Chinese origin; a tariff duty rate alone does not settle plant-health requirements.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 kg of untreated broccoli seeds for sowing under 1209 91 80 10, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,000. Duty at 2% is £60. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,060, so it is £612. Import taxes total £672; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £60 of duty. 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: match the variety name and lot reference on bags, invoices and test reports; retain a sealed reference sample for a grow-out check.
Germination: draw a representative arrival sample and compare laboratory results with the agreed specification and supplier's batch report.
Purity: check for other seeds, husks, dust and damaged seed; use a grow-out check where varietal identity is uncertain.
Condition: inspect seals, liners, moisture damage and mould; reconcile pack weights and treatment declarations with the purchase specification.
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What goes wrong
A lot can germinate well yet produce the wrong broccoli type, uneven maturity or an unsuitable harvest pattern. A catalogue photograph cannot establish varietal identity. Keep supplier lots separate and agree how grow-out results will be assessed before committing to repeat orders.
Other failures include old germination reports, samples drawn from a different lot, damp packaging and an undisclosed seed treatment. Organic paperwork and suspension eligibility can also remain unresolved until dispatch. Check these before shipment and repeat the agreed quality checks on arrival.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on broccoli seeds from China?
The relevant vegetable-seed line shows 2% duty and a 0.00% autonomous suspension, subject to its conditions. Mixtures and preparations are excluded from the suspension.
Can I sell imported broccoli seeds in England and Wales?
Your seed business needs a licence. Confirm variety listing and marketing eligibility; standard vegetable seed must meet analytical purity, varietal purity and germination standards.
What documents do organic broccoli seeds need?
For China-to-Great-Britain imports, obtain a certificate of inspection for each consignment from the exporter's control body. Confirm the organic arrangements with your UK control body.
How do I check broccoli seed quality on arrival?
Match the lot references, test germination and purity on representative samples, inspect packaging for dampness, and retain seed for a grow-out check of varietal identity.