Sourcing candied pomelo peel from China
Candied pomelo peel under the residual peel lines pays 20% UK duty, rising to 20% plus £20 per 100 kg when sugar exceeds 13% by weight. Confirm the sugar content and classification before ordering. Additives must be permitted for the food category, and sulphites above 10 mg/kg must be declared as an allergen. Cambridge China Bridge sources candied pomelo peel.
Sugar content determines the peel duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 November 2026, heading 2006 covers vegetables, fruit, nuts, fruit peel and other plant parts preserved by sugar, drained, glacé or crystallised. For pomelo peel classified under the residual peel lines, sugar above 13% attracts 20% plus £20 per 100 kg; sugar at 13% or less attracts 20%. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The tariff attaches an import control of organic products. Confirm with your customs broker how a missing certificate of inspection would affect release for free circulation and whether organic references would need to be removed from labelling, advertising and accompanying documents. Official guidance says the exporter’s control body issues the certificate. For organic peel from China, confirm the applicable certification and clearance requirements with your customs broker before shipping.
The tropical-fruit row is a classification comparison, not an assigned code for pomelo peel. Do not choose it simply because the fruit grows in a warm climate. Give your broker the peel description, preservation method and measured sugar content to confirm the commodity code. See the wider candied fruit and ginger guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other sugar-preserved peel, sugar over 13% but under 70% | 2006 00 38 81 | 20% + £20.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other sugar-preserved peel, sugar 70% or more | 2006 00 38 89 | 20% + £20.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other sugar-preserved peel, sugar 13% or less | 2006 00 99 99 | 20% | None |
| Tropical fruit and nuts, sugar over 13%: classification comparison only | 2006 00 35 00 | 12% + £12.00 per 100 kg | None |
Specify the peel, pith and sugar coating
Specify pomelo variety, strips or dice, peel thickness, retained white pith, acceptable bitterness and chewiness. Agree whether the finish is glacé or crystallised, the piece-size tolerance, broken-piece allowance, sugar content, moisture and water activity. Keep an approved sample for both tasting and visual comparison.
Request the complete formulation, including colours, preservatives and sulphite treatment. Confirm with the relevant food authority which additives are permitted for the food category. Agree sulphite residue testing and microbiological checks for yeasts and moulds, together with packaging, storage conditions and shelf life. For retail packs, specify the name, ingredients, allergens, net quantity, date mark, storage conditions and UK business name and address.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of sugar-preserved pomelo peel with sugar content of 13% or less; illustrative FOB and freight values under 2006 00 99 99, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,200. Duty at 20% is £3,240. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,440, so it is £3,888. Import taxes total £7,128; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,240 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. Candied peel is one of the items HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14 allows to be zero-rated even though most confectionery is standard-rated, so if your product qualifies no import VAT is due; the 20% figures show the standard-rated case.
Inspection checklist
Peel: compare cut, pith thickness, bitterness, chewiness and broken pieces with the approved sample.
Laboratory: check measured sugar content, sulphite residue, moisture, yeasts and moulds against the agreed specification.
Labels: match ingredients and additives to the formulation; confirm the applicable sulphite allergen-declaration requirements with the relevant food authority.
Packaging: check seals, inner liners, batch identification, leakage, damp cartons and signs of mould on arrival. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
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What goes wrong
Too much pith can make peel bitter or spongy; uneven cuts give inconsistent baking results. Wet peel can clump or ferment, while excessive drying makes strips hard. Check the production sample in your intended recipe and agree acceptance criteria before approving the batch.
A changed sugar content can alter the duty line. Undeclared colours or higher sulphite residues can leave labels inconsistent with the goods. Obtain batch test results and reconcile them with the formulation before dispatch. Keep VAT separate from duty: confirm with HMRC or your customs broker the VAT treatment of candied peel for home baking. See UK import duty and VAT.
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 candied pomelo peel from China?
Under the residual peel lines, duty is 20% when sugar is 13% or less, or 20% plus £20 per 100 kg when sugar exceeds 13%. Confirm the commodity code using the actual product and sugar content.
Do sulphites in candied pomelo peel need an allergen label?
Confirm the applicable sulphite allergen-declaration requirements with the relevant food authority. Ask for residue testing rather than relying only on the supplier’s formulation.
What should I specify for pomelo peel used in baking?
Specify the cut, peel and pith thickness, bitterness, chewiness, sugar coating, moisture and broken-piece allowance. Test an approved sample in your recipe.
Can I import organic candied pomelo peel from China?
The tariff attaches an organic import control. The exporter’s control body issues the certificate of inspection. Confirm certification and clearance requirements with your customs broker before shipping.