Sourcing buckwheat groats from China
The relevant worked-grain lines carry UK duty of £82.00 to £128.00 per 1000kg for goods from China; hulled groats have a candidate rate of £107.00 per 1000kg. Imports must meet GB or equivalent food hygiene standards. Confirm processing and organic controls before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources buckwheat groats.
UK duty and organic import controls
Heading 1104 covers worked cereal grains, including hulled, pearled, sliced and kibbled grains, and cereal germ. This guide concerns buckwheat groats. The table gives candidate classifications according to processing, rather than interchangeable codes for the same product. See worked cereals for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the supplied China duty is £107.00 per 1000kg for the hulled candidate, £128.00 per 1000kg for the pearled candidate and £82.00 per 1000kg for the other listed candidates. These are weight-based duties. The supplied lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Each attaches an organic import control.
For organic imports, your company must be based and certified in the UK. The certificate of inspection is issued by the exporter’s control body in the country of export. Ask your customs broker to confirm the organic control requirements for goods from China before dispatch. Send the broker the processing description and use finding your commodity code to confirm classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulled buckwheat groats, whole, sliced or kibbled: candidate classification | 1104 29 17 90 | £107.00 per 1000 kg | None |
| Pearled buckwheat groats: candidate classification | 1104 29 30 90 | £128.00 per 1000 kg | None |
| Buckwheat only kibbled, without other working: candidate classification | 1104 29 59 00 | £82.00 per 1000 kg | None |
| Other worked buckwheat grains: candidate classification | 1104 29 89 00 | £82.00 per 1000 kg | None |
Specify the groat and its processing
Specify sweet or tartary buckwheat, whole or broken kernels, and the exact dehulling and polishing process. State whether the product is raw or roasted; send any roasting details to your broker for classification review. Agree acceptable husk fragments, broken kernels, foreign matter, moisture and colour against an approved sample.
Imports must meet the same or equivalent food hygiene standards and procedures as food produced in Great Britain. Ask for batch-specific analysis covering the risks identified for your intended use, including pesticide residues, contaminants and microbiological quality. For gluten-free positioning, investigate shared wheat handling and arrange suitable batch testing.
Agree bag material, inner liner, sealing method, storage instructions and batch identification. Pre-packed food must carry a business name and address on its packaging or label. Review the complete label artwork before printing, and compare a cooked sample for texture, flavour and residual husks.
Inspection checklist
Grain: compare colour, kernel size, broken pieces and husk fragments with the approved sample; check for stones, insects and unrelated grains.
Condition: check for damp bags, clumping, mould and stale or musty odours; compare measured moisture with the agreed specification.
Documents: match the batch analysis, bag identification and packing list; for organic orders, ask the broker to confirm the import paperwork before dispatch.
Packing: inspect liners, seals and punctures; check the printed business name and address, agreed storage wording and batch marks. Use quality inspection explained to brief the inspection.
What goes wrong
A sample can contain clean whole kernels while the shipment contains more broken grain, retained husks or dust. Raw and roasted groats can also be confused in a loosely worded order. Record processing, colour and cooking performance in the purchase specification, and compare shipment samples before accepting the batch.
Damp liners and punctured bags can leave grain clumped or musty on arrival. Shared handling with wheat can undermine a gluten-free proposition. Set aside suspect bags for investigation and keep their batch identity. For organic orders, confirm the import control with the broker rather than relying on the supplier’s certificate alone.
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 buckwheat groats from China?
The supplied candidate lines charge £82.00 to £128.00 per 1000kg. The hulled candidate, 1104 29 17 90, charges £107.00 per 1000kg. Confirm the actual processing with your broker.
Which commodity code covers hulled buckwheat groats?
1104 29 17 90 is the candidate for hulled other cereal grains, whether or not sliced or kibbled. Give your broker the dehulling, polishing and heat-treatment details before using it.
What should I check before importing organic buckwheat groats?
Your company must be based and certified in the UK. The exporter’s control body issues the certificate of inspection. Ask your customs broker to confirm the China import control and paperwork before dispatch.
What should I put in a buckwheat groats specification?
Specify buckwheat type, raw or roasted condition, processing, kernel size, broken grain, retained husks, moisture, foreign matter and packing. Approve both a dry sample and its cooked texture.