Sourcing canned clams from China
Canned clams from China have a listed UK duty of 20%, with no variation across the clam line. Processed bivalve molluscs for human consumption must come from an authorised country; confirm China's current eligibility with APHA or the relevant border authority before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge checks whether a product can be imported before any order is placed.
20% duty, but Chinese canned clams are not permitted
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 1605 covers prepared or preserved crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Canned clams fall within 1605 56 00 00, covering clams, cockles and arkshells, with 20% duty for goods from China. The supplied line shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows product variants sharing this code.
Confirm with APHA or the relevant border authority whether Chinese canned clams can enter Great Britain for human consumption. The legislation restricts processed bivalve molluscs to authorised countries, but the supplied quote does not establish China's current status. The tariff also attaches veterinary and organic import controls. Confirm the veterinary entry-document requirement with your customs broker. For an eligible organic supply, confirm certificate of inspection and certification arrangements with your organic control body. These documents do not replace country authorisation.
Confirm the commodity code using the species, preparation and full recipe. See the canned mussels guide for related products within the wider heading. The worked order is illustrative arithmetic only and does not authorise a shipment from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole canned clam meat in brine | 1605 56 00 00 | 20% | None |
Specify clam meat, packing liquid and tin
Resolve import eligibility before approving a purchase for Great Britain. For an eligible alternative source or another destination, specify the clam species, whole or chopped meat, size grade, packing liquid, salt, seasonings and permitted substitutions. Agree texture, colour and flavour against a retained sample, with acceptance criteria for grit and shell fragments.
Agree net and drained weight, the draining method, tin format, opening method, internal coating and seam acceptance criteria. Request heat-processing records and evidence supporting shelf life. Approve storage instructions, batch marking and label artwork before printing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pallet order of canned clams; calculation only, not a permitted China-to-GB shipment under 1605 56 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,000. Duty at 20% is £6,800. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £40,800, so it is £8,160. Import taxes total £14,960; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £6,800 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
Documents: check origin, product description, establishment approval and batch records before considering an eligible shipment.
Tin integrity: inspect seams, leakage, swelling, rust and dents near the seam; isolate suspect tins.
Contents: measure net and drained weight against the specification; check grit, shell fragments, broken meat and texture in sound sampled tins.
Labels: check the food name, ingredients, emphasised mollusc allergen, net quantity, applicable drained weight, date mark, storage instructions and UK food business address.
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What goes wrong
A supplier presents a tariff code and duty rate as proof that Chinese canned clams can be imported. Country authorisation is a separate requirement, and the quoted rule also covers processed bivalve molluscs. Confirm China's current eligibility with APHA or the relevant border authority before paying for samples, packaging or production.
Quality disputes arise from excess packing liquid, short drained weight, gritty meat, shell fragments and damaged seams. Retain approved samples and agree the inspection method. Investigate swollen or leaking tins before releasing stock. The quality inspection guide explains how to define checks.
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 canned clams from China?
The supplied tariff line 1605 56 00 00 carries 20%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. This rate does not give permission to import Chinese canned clams into Great Britain.
Can I import Chinese canned clams into Great Britain?
Processed bivalve molluscs for human consumption must come from an authorised country. Confirm China's current status on the applicable list with APHA or the relevant border authority before ordering.
Does canning make Chinese clams eligible for import?
The country-authorisation rule expressly covers processed bivalve molluscs. A sealed tin and heat-processing records do not establish import eligibility; confirm the origin and product's eligibility with APHA or the relevant border authority.
What should I check on arrival for an eligible canned clam order?
Check batch records, tin seams, swelling, leaks, rust, drained weight, grit and shell fragments. Compare sound sampled tins with the approved specification and inspect the label artwork.