Sourcing citric acid and food acids from China
Food acids from China pay 6% UK duty for citric acid, citrates such as trisodium citrate and tartaric acid, 0% for lactic acid, and 0% or 6% for gluconates by pharmaceutical status, with no anti-dumping duty. Acids used in food must meet the GB food additive purity specifications, and UK REACH applies from one tonne a year. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Citric acid and citrates, tartaric acid, lactic acid and gluconates pay 0% to 6% UK duty from China. Food additive purity specifications explained.
Rates by acid
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, citric acid, trisodium citrate and other citrates, tartaric acid and its salts carried 6% duty on goods from China; lactic acid and its salts and esters carried 0%; and gluconic acid and acetylsalicylic acid carried 0% for listed pharmaceutical substances and 6% for others. None had an anti-dumping measure.
Separate lines exist for citric acid and trisodium citrate consigned from Malaysia, which do not apply to goods shipped from China. Confirm the commodity code with the CAS number.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactic acid, its salts and esters, other | 2918 11 00 80 | 0% | None |
| Tartaric acid | 2918 12 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Citric acid, other consignments | 2918 14 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Trisodium citrate dihydrate, other consignments | 2918 15 00 19 | 6% | None |
| Gluconic acid, its salts and esters, other | 2918 16 00 90 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
| Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and its salts and esters | 2918 22 00 00 | 0% pharmaceutical / 6% other | None |
Food additive purity
Citric acid (E 330), sodium citrates (E 331), lactic acid (E 270) and tartaric acid (E 334) used in food must meet the purity specifications in the retained food additive specifications regulation. Ask for a certificate of analysis per batch showing assay, heavy metals and oxalate where relevant, and for food-grade production evidence.
REACH and medicines
Importing a substance at one tonne or more a year needs UK REACH registration. Aspirin or other acids for medicines need MHRA active substance registration; the heterocyclics guide explains the pharmaceutical duty codes.
Packing and inspection
Citric acid cakes if it takes on moisture, so specify lined bags, pallet wrapping and a dry container. At inspection, check bag labels, lot numbers and weights, and sample for a UK laboratory test.
Cambridge China Bridge sources citric, lactic and tartaric acids and citrates, with grade, purity and REACH settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on citric acid from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, citric acid and citrates carried 6% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
What duty applies to lactic acid?
Lactic acid and its salts and esters carried 0% from China on 25 September 2026.
What must food-grade citric acid meet?
The E 330 purity specifications in the retained food additive specifications regulation, shown on a certificate of analysis.
Why are there Malaysia lines for citric acid?
They cover goods consigned from Malaysia; shipments from China use the other lines.