Sourcing dried apricots from China
Dried apricots from China pay 4% UK duty; relevant fruit and nut mixtures carry 6% to 8% headline rates. Confirm applicable food residue and contaminant limits and sulphite allergen declaration requirements with the relevant food authority. Confirm organic consignment certificate requirements with an approved UK organic control body. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried apricots.
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Apricots pay 4%; mixtures have separate codes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, dried apricots under 0813 10 00 00 carry 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. Heading 0813 covers specified dried fruit and mixtures of dried fruit or nuts.
The tariff attaches an organic import control. For organic apricots imported from China into Great Britain, confirm inspection certificate requirements with an approved UK organic control body. The exporter’s control body in the country of export issues the certificate. Confirm the paperwork with your customs broker before shipment. Confirm the VAT treatment of plain dried apricots sold as food with HMRC or your customs broker.
The table includes apricots and relevant mixtures, which have separate classifications. Sugar-preserved or candied fruit belongs outside this heading. Confirm the commodity code against the composition and processing, and use the wider dried fruit guide for other products.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried apricots | 0813 10 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Dried fruit mixtures containing apricots, without prunes, other than tropical mixtures | 0813 50 15 00 | 6% | None |
| Dried fruit mixtures containing apricots and prunes | 0813 50 19 00 | 8% | None |
| Apricot and nut mixtures without prunes, figs, Brazil nuts in shell or pistachios | 0813 50 91 80 | 8% | None |
Specify colour, sulphites and moisture
Specify whole fruit, halves or pieces, pitted status, variety, colour, size grading, texture and permitted defects. Agree moisture and sulphur dioxide specifications, whether the fruit is sulphured, and whether sugar or other ingredients are added. Keep an approved sample for comparison with production.
Confirm applicable pesticide residue and contaminant limits for dried apricots with the relevant food authority. Confirm sulphur dioxide allergen declaration requirements with that authority. Ask for batch-specific laboratory results covering pesticide residues and sulphur dioxide, rather than accepting a report for a different lot.
Agree pack material, liner closure, storage conditions and the condition expected on arrival. Ask the processor how it removes stones and pit fragments and prevents insect contamination. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual product and batch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5 tonnes of dried apricots, illustrative order under 0813 10 00 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £21,800. Duty at 4% is £872. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,672, so it is £4,534.40. Import taxes total £5,406.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £872 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
Fruit: compare colour, size and texture with the approved sample; inspect for mould, insects, pit fragments and foreign matter.
Moisture: measure against the agreed specification and inspect for sticky clumps, fermentation odours and condensation.
Laboratory: match pesticide and sulphur dioxide results to the shipment batch; compare sulphite findings with the allergen declaration.
Packaging: inspect liners and seals, carton condition and batch identification; match organic certificate details to the consignment where applicable.
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What goes wrong
Bright colour can hide a mismatch between the sulphite content and the label. Excess moisture can cause fermentation or mould in transit, while poor sorting leaves pit fragments, insects or mixed grades. A clean sales sample does not establish the condition of the shipment.
Inspect the production batch before dispatch and retain arrival samples when opening cartons. Investigate discrepancies against the specification and batch reports before accepting the stock. The quality inspection guide explains how to define checks for the supplier.
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 dried apricots from China?
Dried apricots under 0813 10 00 00 carry 4% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no suspension or anti-dumping duty. Mixtures have separate codes and rates.
Do dried apricots attract import VAT?
Check the exact product if it has been prepared or combined with other ingredients.
Must sulphites be declared on dried apricots?
Confirm sulphur dioxide allergen declaration requirements with the relevant food authority. Compare the label with the batch laboratory result.
What documents do organic apricots from China need?
For Great Britain, confirm inspection certificate requirements for organic consignments with an approved UK organic control body. The certificate is issued by the exporter’s control body in the country of export. Check the paperwork before shipment.