Sourcing chocolate-covered almonds from China
The relevant tariff lines carry a flat 8% UK duty from China. Chocolate-covered almonds containing milk cannot be imported from China into Great Britain. Check the complete coating recipe, almond quality and allergen labels before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources chocolate-covered almonds.
Duty and recipe-dependent import controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 1806 covers chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. The table shows classification candidates for chocolate-covered almonds with different coatings and recipes. These selected lines all carry 8% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. They are alternatives to investigate, rather than interchangeable codes.
The tariff attaches Veterinary control, Restriction on entry into free circulation and Import control of organic products. Milk-containing confectionery from China is prohibited. For other animal-derived coating ingredients, ask your customs broker to confirm veterinary requirements. Ask the broker to confirm whether the free-circulation restriction applies to the exact recipe and ingredient origins. Organic imports from China require a certificate of inspection for each consignment and checks against the non-UK organic registers.
Give your broker the full recipe, coating composition, product photographs and immediate pack size to confirm the commodity code. An almond centre does not by itself settle the classification. See the chocolate-covered peanuts guide for the wider heading discussion. Confirm the applicable VAT treatment of the chocolate confectionery with HMRC or your customs broker; see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolates, including pralines, without alcohol | 1806 90 19 00 | 8% | None |
| Other chocolate products, not filled | 1806 90 39 00 | 8% | None |
| Other sugar confectionery containing cocoa | 1806 90 50 90 | 8% | None |
| Other cocoa preparations, packs up to 1 kg, sucrose below 70% | 1806 90 90 11 | 8% | None |
Specify the almond centre and chocolate coating
Start with the complete ingredient breakdown, including the coating supplier's recipe. Milk powder, whey and butter need explicit checking because milk-containing confectionery from China is prohibited. A dark appearance does not establish that a coating contains no milk. Confirm with the relevant food authority whether the proposed chocolate name is appropriate for the composition of the coating.
Specify sweet almond kernels, whole or broken format, skin-on or blanched, roast profile, crunch, coating thickness and almond-to-coating balance. Record cocoa solids, cocoa butter, other fats, sugar, glazing ingredients and allergen status. Approve a cut-open sample as well as the finished appearance.
Agree pouch or jar format, seal integrity, protection from moisture and odours, remaining shelf life on arrival and transport temperature conditions. Ask for batch-specific microbiological and contaminant testing suited to the recipe. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence you need before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small trial order of milk-free chocolate-covered almond pouches under 1806 90 39 00, invoiced at £100 free on board, with £35 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £135. Duty at 8% is £10.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £145.80, so it is £29.16. Import taxes total £39.96; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £10.80 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
Recipe: compare the production ingredient declaration and coating specification with the approved sample, checking for milk-derived ingredients and unapproved substitutions.
Almonds: cut open sampled pieces and check kernel identity, roast consistency, crunch, shell fragments, broken centres and stale or rancid odours.
Coating: check coverage, thickness, bloom, cracking, exposed kernels and pieces stuck together; compare transport temperature records with the agreed conditions.
Packs and labels: check seals, net weight, batch identity and date marking. Prepacked food needs an ingredients list, with allergens emphasised whenever they appear. Check that almonds and any soya are clearly identified.
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What goes wrong
An approved dark coating can be replaced with a cheaper recipe containing milk powder. That changes import eligibility, even if the product looks similar. Obtain the final production recipe before dispatch and pause the shipment if the ingredient evidence does not match.
A thick coating can hide broken, poorly roasted or stale kernels. Heat can leave almonds stuck together or covered in bloom, while weak seals allow moisture and odours into the pack. Check opened samples alongside sealed packs and retain a reference sample. See quality inspection explained.
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 chocolate-covered almonds from China?
The selected classification candidates carry 8% duty from China in the supplied tariff data. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. Confirm the code against the actual coating recipe and pack format.
Can I import milk chocolate-covered almonds from China?
No. Official guidance prohibits confectionery from China containing milk. Check the complete recipe before ordering, including milk powder, whey and butter.
Does a dark chocolate coating mean there is no milk?
The colour does not establish the recipe. Obtain the coating's full ingredient declaration and check the production batch against it before dispatch.
What should I check when chocolate-covered almonds arrive?
Check bloom, clumping, cracked coatings, stale kernels, shell fragments and pack seals. Cut open samples to compare the almond centre and coating thickness with the approved sample.