Sourcing Chocolate-covered Coffee Beans from China
The relevant tariff lines carry 8% UK duty from China, with no variation across the comparison rows. Milk-containing confectionery from China is prohibited, so verify the complete coating recipe before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources chocolate-covered coffee beans.
Duty and import controls for coated coffee beans
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 1806 covers chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. The comparison rows carry 8% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. They describe alternative classification branches, rather than interchangeable codes for the same coffee beans.
The tariff attaches veterinary control, restriction on entry into free circulation and organic import control. Milk-containing confectionery from China is prohibited. Ask your customs broker to confirm the remaining veterinary and entry-restriction requirements for the actual recipe. Organic food and businesses require certification by an approved UK organic control body. The exporter's control body issues the inspection certificate; confirm the consignment paperwork with your broker.
Send the complete recipe, coating description, sugar content and immediate packing details to your broker to confirm the commodity code. Do not select a residual cocoa-preparation line merely because its pack size matches. For the wider heading, see the chocolate-covered peanuts guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolates without alcohol, including products with coffee-bean centres | 1806 90 19 00 | 8% | None |
| Other unfilled chocolate products, for classification comparison | 1806 90 39 00 | 8% | None |
| Other cocoa preparations, packs not exceeding 1 kg, sucrose below 70% | 1806 90 90 11 | 8% | None |
| Other cocoa preparations, larger packs, sucrose below 70% | 1806 90 90 91 | 8% | None |
Specify the bean and the chocolate coating
Specify roasted whole coffee beans, bean origin and variety, roast character, acceptable bitterness and crunch, and the balance between bean and coating. Agree a reference sample showing the cut surface as well as the outside. Record whether the coating uses cocoa butter or other vegetable fats, together with cocoa solids, sugar, emulsifiers and glazing ingredients.
Obtain the full coating recipe, including compound ingredients. A dark appearance does not establish that the product is dairy-free. Milk-containing confectionery from China cannot be imported into Great Britain. Consult our published chocolate guide and confirm with the relevant food authority whether the proposed chocolate name is appropriate for the coating composition.
Agree pouch material, seals, protection from moisture and odours, storage conditions and the remaining shelf life you will accept on arrival. Ask for evidence supporting the proposed shelf life and transport conditions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial consignment of dairy-free chocolate-covered coffee beans in retail pouches under 1806 90 19 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,100. Duty at 8% is £248. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,348, so it is £669.60. Import taxes total £917.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £248 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
Bean centre: cut sampled pieces and compare the whole roasted bean, roast character, crunch and coating balance with the approved sample.
Coating condition: check for bloom, exposed beans, cracked shells, fused clusters, loose coating and damage caused by heat or handling.
Recipe and labels: compare the production recipe with the approved dairy-free specification and check allergen information, including soya where present.
Packs and records: check seals, net weight, batch identification, date marking and transport records against the purchase specification. Use the inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A supplier may describe a dark coating without disclosing milk powder, whey or another dairy ingredient. Resolve the recipe before paying for production. The prohibition on milk-containing confectionery from China makes this an import decision, rather than simply a flavour preference.
Coating can arrive bloomed or stuck together, while the bean centre may taste stale or differ from the approved roast. A good-looking exterior does not establish the condition inside. Compare cut samples and flavour as well as appearance, and investigate damaged seals or transport conditions before accepting the batch.
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 coffee beans from China?
The relevant comparison lines carry 8% duty from China, with no trade remedy or suspension recorded. Confirm the code against the actual recipe and packing.
Can I import milk-chocolate-covered coffee beans from China?
No. Official confectionery guidance says milk-containing confectionery from China is prohibited. Check the complete recipe before ordering.
Does dark chocolate mean the coating is dairy-free?
Do not rely on the description. Obtain the complete recipe, including compound ingredients, and check specifically for milk powder, whey and other dairy ingredients.
What should I inspect when coated coffee beans arrive?
Check bloom, clusters, cracked coating, seal integrity and batch records. Cut and taste sampled pieces against the approved bean, roast and coating specification.