Sourcing couscous from China
UK duty on couscous from China ranges from a conditional 0% suspension for unprepared goods to 6% plus £8.10 per 100 kg for other couscous. Confirm processing and the full recipe before choosing the code, and check animal ingredient controls for prepared products. Cambridge China Bridge sources couscous.
Couscous duty depends on preparation
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 1902 includes couscous whether or not prepared. Unprepared couscous under 1902 40 10 00 has standard duty of 6% plus £20.00 per 100 kg, with a recorded suspension to 0%. Its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these products. Other couscous under 1902 40 90 00 pays 6% plus £8.10 per 100 kg and has no suspension. Neither line records anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Both couscous lines carry organic import controls; other couscous also carries veterinary control. For organic orders, arrange the certificate of inspection through the exporter’s control body and confirm the Chinese shipment requirements with your customs broker. Animal ingredients can bring composite product rules, including eligibility checks and documents depending on the recipe and processing. For medium-risk composite products containing meat, milk, eggs or fish, a composite product health certificate is required.
Give your broker the complete recipe, manufacturing process and product presentation when checking the commodity code. The table repeats codes for bulk and retail packing options; packing format alone does not settle classification. See the pasta, noodles and dumplings guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unprepared couscous, bulk packs | 1902 40 10 00 | 6% + £20.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other couscous, bulk packs | 1902 40 90 00 | 6% + £8.10 per 100 kg | None |
Specify granules, preparation and recipe
Specify the grain used, granule size and colour, whether the couscous is unprepared or otherwise prepared, and the full recipe including seasonings. Identify wheat and any added milk, egg or other animal ingredients. Agree moisture, acceptable fines and clumping, pack format, storage conditions and remaining shelf life on arrival.
Prepare an approved sample using the proposed cooking instructions. Compare hydration, separation of granules, firmness and flavour. Keep that sample as the reference for production checks. Ask the relevant local authority to confirm food-business registration requirements and the retail-label information needed, including English product information, ingredients with allergens emphasised, net quantity, dates, storage information and a UK address.
Inspection checklist
Granules: compare colour, size distribution, fines and clumps with the approved sample; check for insects and foreign matter.
Preparation: cook production samples using the agreed instructions and compare hydration, firmness and separation of granules.
Batch evidence: match moisture and relevant contaminant test results to the delivered batch; compare the recipe and allergen information with the approved specification.
Packs and labels: check seals, damage, net weight, date coding and remaining shelf life; verify the English ingredients and emphasised allergens against the actual recipe.
What goes wrong
A buyer treats every couscous product as eligible for suspended duty, then discovers that processing or added ingredients change the classification or suspension eligibility. A seasoning containing milk or meat can also change the import checks. Resolve the recipe and processing questions before approving the order.
Moisture entering through weak seals can cause clumping and spoilage. Too many fines produce uneven hydration, while a changed granule size can make the printed cooking instructions unreliable. Hold affected batches for assessment and compare samples, packaging and batch records through the inspection process.
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 couscous from China?
Unprepared couscous has a conditional 0% suspension; its standard duty is 6% plus £20.00 per 100 kg. Other couscous pays 6% plus £8.10 per 100 kg. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Can I import couscous with milk or meat ingredients?
Check the complete recipe and processing before ordering. Animal ingredients can bring composite product rules, approved-country and establishment checks, and health documents. Eligibility depends on the exact product.
What should I check for organic couscous?
Both tariff lines carry organic import controls. Arrange the certificate of inspection with the exporter’s control body and confirm the requirements for the Chinese consignment with your customs broker.
How do I check couscous quality on arrival?
Compare granules and cooked samples with the approved sample. Check fines, clumping, foreign matter, seals, moisture results, date coding and label accuracy against the delivered batch.