Sourcing dried mealworms from China
The supplied tariff reading shows 0% UK duty for dried mealworms under the other-animal-products line. Dried insects cannot be used in farm-animal feed, including hen treats. Confirm the applicable China safeguard exception and veterinary route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried mealworms for animal feed.
Zero duty does not establish import eligibility
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, heading 0511 covers animal products not elsewhere specified or included and dead animals unfit for human consumption. The candidate line for whole dried mealworms is 0511 99 85 90. The table shows product presentations under that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications. Confirm the commodity code against the actual product and processing.
The supplied reading records 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The line attaches veterinary, CITES, organic-product and waste import controls, plus CITES and waste export controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm which apply to the consignment, particularly any organic claim or waste classification.
Animal by-product imports require advance notification through the official import system and entry through an approved border control post. China also has a safeguard prohibition with specified exceptions: obtain confirmation from the Animal and Plant Health Agency that the proposed mealworms qualify before ordering. For the wider heading, see our freeze-dried bloodworms guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole dried mealworms for wild-bird feed | 0511 99 85 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the insect, drying process and feeding use
Specify yellow mealworm larvae, whether oven-dried or freeze-dried, whole-larva grading, broken pieces, dust, moisture, protein and fat against an agreed sample. Record the rearing substrate, drying process, batch identity and storage conditions. Ask for batch-specific microbiological results rather than a report for an unrelated production run.
Keep the intended feeding use explicit. Dried insects cannot be used in farm-animal feed or hen treats. For the wild-bird route, arrange the signed commercial document with the exporter or manufacturer. The import guidance requires precautions against recontamination and secure packing in new containers.
The import guidance requires packages to indicate that the goods are not for human consumption; ready-to-sell packs must clearly identify their permitted feeding use. Register a business making, selling or using animal feed with local Trading Standards. Check any uncertainty about registration with that office.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial consignment of bagged dried mealworms for wild-bird feed, subject to confirmation of import eligibility under 0511 99 85 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,900, so it is £780. 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: compare larvae, colour and size distribution with the retained sample; investigate mixed insects, unexplained substitutions or added material.
Condition: sample across cartons for damp, mould, rancid odour, excessive dust and crushed larvae; compare laboratory results with the agreed specification.
Packing: check seals, new containers, moisture protection and transit damage; reconcile feeding-use labels with the approved artwork.
Traceability: match batch marks, processor details, signed commercial documents and test reports to the shipment. Plan sampling using our inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Dry-looking larvae can arrive damp inside poorly sealed bags. Rough handling turns whole larvae into fragments and dust, while stale fat produces an unpleasant smell. Agree acceptance criteria for moisture, breakage and odour, and retain representative samples before dispatch.
A supplier's description of the goods as animal feed leaves the feeding use unresolved. Packaging with hen imagery conflicts with the farm-animal restriction. A zero-duty code also leaves China's safeguard conditions unresolved. Settle the destination, permitted use and clearance route before paying for production.
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 mealworms from China?
The supplied reading records 0% under candidate code 0511 99 85 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. Classification and import eligibility still need confirmation.
Can I import dried mealworms from China for wild birds?
There is official guidance for this feeding use, but China's safeguard restrictions also apply. Ask the Animal and Plant Health Agency to confirm the applicable exception and import conditions before ordering.
Can dried mealworms be sold as hen treats?
Dried terrestrial insects cannot be used in farm-animal feed or treats, including hen treats. Keep the intended use and packaging consistent with the permitted feeding route.
What should I check when dried mealworms arrive?
Check batch identity, moisture, mould, odour, broken larvae, dust, seals and packing damage. Match the goods and laboratory results to the agreed sample, specification and consignment documents.