Sourcing chocolate truffles from China

Truffle classification, duty and import restrictions

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 1806 covers chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. The selected lines all carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. The chocolates lines distinguish products containing alcohol from other chocolates. The other filled and unfilled product lines are classification alternatives, not interchangeable codes for the same truffle.

The tariff attaches veterinary control, restriction on entry into free circulation and organic import control. Official guidance prohibits confectionery containing milk from China, including products containing dairy ingredients originally sourced elsewhere. Paying duty does not overcome that prohibition. For a dairy-free recipe, ask your customs broker to confirm veterinary-control applicability and the entry restriction against the full ingredient list. Higher-risk non-animal foods, where applicable, must enter through authorised border control posts.

Organic imports from China into Great Britain require a certificate of inspection for each consignment and checks against the recognised organic registers; the importing business must be certified by an approved UK control body. Confirm the recipe, alcohol content and presentation using finding your commodity code. For products beyond truffles, see the chocolate and cocoa guide.

Specify the shell, centre and storage conditions

Start with the complete recipe for the shell, centre, dusting and decorations. Identify milk powder, cream, butter and other dairy ingredients before discussing samples. Milk-containing truffles from China cannot be imported into Great Britain. A dairy-free description should be checked against the actual ingredients, rather than accepted from the product name.

For a recipe being considered for import, specify cocoa solids, cocoa butter, other fats, sugar, alcohol, nut inclusions, shell thickness, centre texture, piece weight and coating coverage. Agree shelf life, storage conditions, transport temperature limits and protective tray design. Request evidence supporting the proposed shelf life and approve a retained sample of the finished packed product.

Food allergens must be listed in the ingredients and highlighted on the label. Check nut and soya ingredients against the artwork and factory records. Review ingredients from flavourings and coatings as well as the main recipe: approval in the exporting country does not necessarily mean approval in Great Britain.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order: 100 kg of boxed dairy-free chocolate truffles under 1806 90 19 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,000. Duty at 8% is £480. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,480, so it is £1,296. Import taxes total £1,776; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £480 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 records with the approved shell, centre and coating specifications; investigate every substitution.

Condition: inspect for bloom, cracked shells, leaking centres, flattened pieces and loose dusting; compare texture and flavour with the retained sample.

Packing: check piece weight, assortment, tray fit, seals and carton protection; compare ingredient and allergen wording with the approved artwork.

Storage: review temperature records and remaining shelf life on arrival; record affected batches before releasing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to define the checks.

What goes wrong

A supplier may describe a truffle as dark chocolate while its centre contains cream, butter or milk powder. Dairy ingredients sourced outside China do not remove the import prohibition once supplied in the China-made product. Resolve the recipe and import eligibility before approving an order.

Heat can leave truffles bloomed or misshapen, while cracked shells and leaking centres spoil boxed assortments. Agree acceptance criteria for appearance, texture and packaging, and investigate damaged or off-smelling stock before sale. Photographs of an unopened gift box cannot establish the condition of its contents.

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.