Sourcing dried krill aquarium feed from China

Zero duty, with animal-product controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, heading 0511 covers animal products not elsewhere specified and dead animals unfit for human consumption. The relevant candidate line for dried krill is 0511 91 90 00, covering other aquatic animal products. Its duty on goods from China is 0%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. The table shows product forms under the same candidate code.

That line attaches veterinary, CITES, invasive alien species and organic import controls, plus CITES export control. Animal by-product guidance requires entry through an approved border control post. Ask your customs broker to confirm the common health entry document and supporting requirements for the China shipment. If the species is CITES-listed, confirm import and export documents before ordering. For organic claims, ask the broker to confirm the tariff's organic-control requirements.

Confirm classification using the species, ingredients, treatment and intended use through finding your commodity code. Do not assume a prepared blend has the same classification as plain dried krill. For the wider heading, see the freeze-dried bloodworms guide. The import discussion here concerns Great Britain; obtain destination-specific advice for other markets.

Specify krill identity, drying and pack condition

Specify the scientific species name, harvesting origin, processing location and whether the product is plain krill or contains other ingredients. Agree whole or broken form, size grading, dust content, moisture, odour and declared nutritional composition against a retained sample. Describe hot-air drying or freeze-drying accurately, and request treatment records and batch-specific microbiological results.

Ask APHA to confirm whether the actual product follows the dried-material route or a finished aquarium-feed authorisation route. Authorisation applications are considered case by case and approval is not guaranteed. Resolve China-origin admissibility before placing the order; a supplier's description of the product as fish food does not settle this.

Under the dried-material guidance, use new containers and label every package as not for human consumption. Have the English artwork checked against the applicable route before printing. For a feed-importing business, confirm registration and any approval needed with the local authority, including the activities at your storage or repacking premises.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small wholesale order of whole dried krill in sealed retail tubs under 0511 91 90 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,400, so it is £480. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the species, ingredient declaration and batch references to supplier records; compare whole animals and fragments with the retained sample.

Condition: sample across cartons for damp, clumping, mould, insects, foreign matter and rancid odour; compare moisture and microbiological results with the agreed specification.

Grading: check whole krill, broken pieces and loose dust against the approved sample; assess whether the particle size suits the buyer's intended aquarium fish.

Packaging: check seals, tub closures, net contents, batch marks and artwork; investigate punctures, leaking closures or crushed packs before release. Plan sampling through the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A sample of intact krill can be followed by a shipment containing excessive fragments and dust. Weak seals allow moisture pickup, while poorly protected stock can develop clumping or stale odour. Agree acceptance criteria for grading, moisture and pack integrity, and retain samples from the delivered batch.

The import route remains uncertain when the supplier cannot identify the species, explain the treatment or distinguish bulk material from finished feed. Resolve these points before dispatch. In England and Wales, invasive-species restrictions concern live animals and parts capable of reproduction; ask the broker to confirm how the tariff control is declared for dead, dried krill.

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.