Sourcing canned mussels from China
The supplied canned-mussel lines all carry 20% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. Chinese-origin canned mussels cannot legally enter Great Britain because China is not an approved origin for processed bivalve molluscs. Cambridge China Bridge checks whether a product can be imported before any order is placed.
20% duty does not establish import permission
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 1605 covers prepared or preserved crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Its supplied canned-mussel lines carry 20% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table includes non-canned mussel lines solely for classification comparison.
Processed bivalve molluscs must come from an approved origin to enter Great Britain. Confirm with the relevant authority whether China is listed for the proposed canned mussels before shipping. The tariff attaches veterinary and organic import controls, but these do not override the approved-origin requirement. Ask your customs broker to confirm the veterinary entry-document requirements; for any eligible organic proposal, confirm inspection certificates and certification arrangements with your organic control body.
Confirm the commodity code from the mussel species, recipe, preservation method and container. See the prepared shellfish guide for the wider heading. The worked order illustrates a duty calculation only and does not authorise an import from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared or preserved Mytilus edulis mussels in airtight containers | 1605 53 10 20 | 20% | None |
| Other mussels in airtight containers | 1605 53 10 95 | 20% | None |
| Cooked frozen Mytilus edulis mussels, not canned; classification comparison | 1605 53 90 10 | 20% | None |
| Other prepared Mytilus or Perna mussels, not canned; classification comparison | 1605 53 90 90 | 20% | None |
Specify the mussel meat, filling and tin
Resolve import eligibility before approving samples or artwork. For an eligible sourcing route, specify the mussel species, harvesting origin, meat size, whole or broken pieces, and acceptable shell fragments or grit. Agree brine, oil or sauce, salt, seasoning, ingredients and allergens against a retained sample.
Specify net and drained weight, tin shape, opening method, internal coating and seam acceptance criteria. Request heat-processing records and evidence supporting shelf life. Agree storage instructions before and after opening, batch identification and carton protection. These checks also help buyers assess canned-mussel proposals for overseas destinations.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pallet shipment of canned mussels; calculation only, not an eligible China import under 1605 53 10 20, 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
Origin and documents: check the harvesting origin and processing plant against the proposed destination's import eligibility before shipment; for an eligible Great Britain route, check plant approval, certification, pre-notification and border arrangements.
Tin integrity: inspect seams, leakage, swelling, corrosion, coating damage and dents around the seam. Isolate suspect tins for investigation.
Contents and weight: weigh sampled net contents and drained mussel meat using the agreed method. Compare meat size, broken pieces, shell fragments, grit and sauce consistency with the specification.
Labels and batches: check the food name, ingredients with mollusc allergens emphasised, net quantity, applicable drained weight, date mark, storage instructions and UK food-business address. Match batch markings to processing and test records.
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What goes wrong
A supplier quotes a valid canned-mussel commodity code and assumes that paying duty makes the shipment importable. It does not establish import eligibility: processed bivalve molluscs must come from an approved origin, so confirm with the relevant authority whether the proposed Chinese-origin canned mussels qualify. Establish the harvesting origin and destination eligibility before committing to production.
Quality disputes arise over excess filling liquid, short drained weight, gritty meat, broken pieces and damaged seams. Specify the draining method, retain an approved sample and investigate swollen or leaking tins before releasing stock. Use the inspection guide to organise the 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 mussels from China?
The supplied canned-mussel lines carry 20%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. The tariff rate does not establish import eligibility; confirm with the relevant authority whether the proposed Chinese-origin canned mussels meet Great Britain's approved-origin requirement.
Can I legally import Chinese canned mussels into Great Britain?
Confirm with the relevant authority before ordering. Processed bivalve molluscs must come from an approved origin; check whether China is listed for the proposed product. A tariff code, sterilisation record or supplier certificate does not establish an eligible origin.
What should I put in a canned-mussel specification?
Specify species, harvesting origin, meat size, whole or broken pieces, filling medium, ingredients, net and drained weight, tin coating, opening method, seams and shelf-life evidence. Check destination eligibility first.
What should I check when canned mussels arrive?
For an eligible shipment, check origin documents, batch markings, seams, swelling, leakage, corrosion, net and drained weight, shell fragments, grit and label artwork. Isolate suspect tins for investigation.