Sourcing Canna rhizomes from China

Canna duty: base rates and suspension

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 0601 covers dormant bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, those in growth or flower, and chicory plants and roots. For Canna rhizomes, the relevant other-goods lines are 0601 10 90 00 when dormant and 0601 20 90 00 in growth or flower. The table separates product forms sharing these codes. See the wider bulbs and rhizomes guide.

The supplied tariff record shows base duty from China of 4% and 6% respectively, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Both lines list an autonomous tariff suspension at 0.00 %. Its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Ask your broker to confirm eligibility before using the suspended rate. Duty suspensions do not remove import VAT.

The dormant line attaches CITES import and export controls; the growing or flowering line attaches a CITES export control. Both attach organic import controls. Confirm their application to the exact Canna species and any organic claim with your customs broker; a heading-level control does not establish that every Canna consignment needs a permit. Listed CITES species require an import permit. Confirm the commodity code using the shipment's actual growth state.

Specify cultivar, buds and shipment condition

Specify the botanical identity, cultivar, flower colour, foliage colour, whole rhizomes or divisions, dormant or growing condition, agreed size grade and viable bud condition. Ask for batch-labelled photographs and a sample growing trial to check emergence and cultivar identity. Agree packing that protects buds, avoids crushing and limits both drying and condensation. Describe any attached growing medium before requesting import advice.

Before ordering, ask APHA or your plant-health adviser to confirm admissibility and the risk category for the exact species, origin and presentation. Ask them to confirm whether IPAFFS registration, a phytosanitary certificate, pre-notification, checks and fees apply to that category. Agree responsibility for the paperwork with the Chinese exporter.

For onward sales, online sales to customers buying for personal use need a UK plant passport. Direct supply to retailers requires authorisation to issue passports for plants subject to passport requirements. Ornamental plant propagating material must also travel with a supplier document. Arrange these documents before releasing stock for sale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 dormant Canna rhizomes for planting; illustrative order and values under 0601 10 90 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 4% is £276. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,176, so it is £1,435.20. Import taxes total £1,711.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £276 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match cultivar labels, botanical identity and batch references against the order and accompanying documents.

Viability: check firm rhizome tissue, intact buds and the agreed size grade; separate soft, hollow, shrivelled or badly cut pieces.

Condition: check mould, rot, insects, attached soil or growing medium, and damaged shoots on growing stock.

Packing: check damp cartons, condensation, crushing and label separation; photograph defects before repacking. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A rhizome can meet a weight grade while having damaged buds or too little sound tissue to establish. Damp packing encourages rot, while excessive drying leaves shrivelled stock. Cultivar substitutions may only become apparent after growth or flowering, so keep batch identity through the sample growing trial.

Shipping growing stock against a dormant specification creates a classification question and exposes shoots to breakage. Missing plant-health paperwork creates a separate border problem. If a consignment fails plant-health checks, an inspector advises what must happen; goods considered a plant-health risk may be destroyed or returned.

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.