Sourcing bulk co-amoxiclav from China

Zero duty on bulk penicillin-containing mixtures

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 November 2026, heading 3003 covers mixed medicaments for therapeutic or prophylactic use, not in measured doses or retail packs. Bulk amoxicillin-clavulanate medicinal mixtures fall within the penicillin-containing description of 3003 10 00 00, subject to confirmation of the composition and presentation.

The duty for goods from China is 0%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control for this line. The table repeats this tariff line for different bulk formulation uses; these are not separate commodity codes. This guide concerns mixtures for human medicines.

Confirm the commodity code using the full formula, intended use and packing details. Measured doses and retail-packed medicines belong under heading 3004. For wider heading context, see bulk co-trimoxazole powder.

Specify both actives and the finished formulation

State the chemical form of amoxicillin and the clavulanate component, their target ratio, and whether assay results are expressed as the active substance or its supplied chemical form. List every excipient and identify whether the blend is intended for tablets, capsules or oral suspension manufacture.

Agree separate identity and assay tests for both actives, impurity limits, blend uniformity, particle size, water content and the applicable pharmacopoeial specification. Specify sealed inner packaging, storage and transport conditions, and the evidence supporting the retest or expiry date.

For human medicinal products imported from China into Great Britain, settle the manufacturer's licence covering importation and qualified person release route before ordering. Good manufacturing practice is the minimum production standard for medicines manufacturers. Use factory verification to investigate the actual production site and its supporting documents.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 kg of bulk amoxicillin-clavulanate tablet blend, illustrative only under 3003 10 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £31,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,500, so it is £6,300. 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

Batch documents: match the manufacturer, formula, batch identity and retest or expiry date across the order, container labels and certificate of analysis. Check that the licence holder has the documents needed for qualified person certification.

Laboratory: arrange independent sampling and test both actives separately against the agreed specification. Check the ratio, impurity results, water content and blend uniformity rather than accepting a combined potency statement.

Containers: check seals, inner liners, closures and evidence of moisture entry, leakage or caking. Match the supplied chemical forms and excipients against the approved purchasing specification.

Transport: review storage records and any temperature monitoring against the agreed conditions before accepting the batch. Refer unexplained excursions or damaged packaging to the buyer's pharmaceutical quality team.

What goes wrong

A ratio quoted on a different assay basis can conceal a formulation mismatch. A certificate may report amoxicillin adequately but leave the clavulanate component unclear. Moisture, caking, inconsistent blending or documents belonging to another batch are reasons to hold the delivery for investigation.

Confirm with MHRA which medicines licensing and qualified person release requirements apply independently of customs clearance. Resolve missing licence coverage and batch documents before committing to supply. Agree an arrival sampling plan through quality inspection, with the licensed pharmaceutical team making the batch-release decision.

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.