Sourcing Casein Hydrolysate from China

Listed duty and import eligibility

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 3504 covers peptones, their derivatives and other protein substances. Code 3504 00 90 10 specifies casein hydrolysate with 20% to 70% free amino acids by weight and peptones of which more than 90% by weight have a molecular weight no greater than 2000 Da. The table separates physical forms within the relevant tariff lines.

The supplied tariff lists 2% duty on both relevant lines for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. There is no suspension for casein hydrolysate; the suspension on the residual line concerns zein. Veterinary and organic import controls are attached. Food-use dairy products from China are prohibited in Great Britain. For laboratory use, ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility and the veterinary documents before shipment. Confirm any GB certificate of inspection requirement for organic food claims with the relevant authority; such a certificate does not override the prohibition.

Give the broker the composition, hydrolysis method, intended use and analytical results to confirm the commodity code. A product outside the dedicated composition limits needs separate classification review. See the wider microbiological peptones guide. The worked order is an illustrative calculation input, conditional on import eligibility.

Specify the hydrolysis and intended use

Identify the milk source and whether hydrolysis is enzymatic or acid-based. Specify free amino acids, peptide molecular-weight distribution, total nitrogen, amino nitrogen, moisture, ash and solubility, with agreed test methods. Record additives and carriers rather than accepting a generic protein assay.

For laboratory media, compare growth performance in your actual formulation against a retained sample. For food projects, stop the China purchasing route: official guidance prohibits dairy products from China, including those made using milk originating elsewhere. For non-food hydrolysed protein, official guidance requires production in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain; this alone does not establish that the proposed Chinese supply is eligible.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative laboratory order of 20 kg, conditional on import eligibility under 3504 00 90 10, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,100. Duty at 2% is £42. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,142, so it is £428.40. Import taxes total £470.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £42 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the batch, manufacturer, milk source and hydrolysis method to the agreed specification and certificate of analysis.

Composition: check free amino acids and peptide distribution, alongside nitrogen, moisture and ash results; total protein alone cannot demonstrate the dedicated tariff profile.

Performance: compare dissolution, colour, odour and laboratory growth performance with the retained sample.

Packaging: check seals, moisture damage, caking and batch traceability before releasing stock for use.

What goes wrong

A supplier describes the material as peptone without identifying casein as its source. The buyer then treats a tariff code or an organic certificate as permission to import food-use dairy material. The listed duty does not remove the dairy prohibition.

Batches can differ in peptide distribution, salt content and dissolution despite similar nitrogen results. Agree acceptance tests before production and keep representative samples. Use testing and certification support to organise the agreed 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.