Sourcing dried peppermint leaves from China

Dried leaves: zero duty and control checks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 1211 covers plants and plant parts used primarily in perfumery, pharmacy or insecticidal and similar applications, including dried, cut, crushed and powdered material. The candidate line for dried peppermint leaves is 1211 90 86 90, carrying 0% duty from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension is recorded. The table shows different product forms under the same tariff line.

The line attaches organic import controls and CITES and Home Office controlled-drug import and export controls. For organic-labelled goods, confirm the inspection certificate requirement with your customs broker; the exporter’s control body issues the certificate. CITES-listed specimens need permits, and importing or exporting controlled drugs or precursor chemicals requires a licence. These are conditional controls: ask your broker to confirm their application to the authenticated peppermint species and any blend before ordering.

Confirm the botanical identity, dried condition, processing and intended use through finding your commodity code. The fresh-or-chilled mint entry is not a description of dried leaves. See the dried chrysanthemum guide for wider heading context.

Specify peppermint identity, cut and aroma

Specify peppermint rather than an unspecified mint blend. Record the botanical name, leaf-only requirement, whole or cut form, sieve profile, acceptable stems and dust, moisture target and packaging. Agree an approved sample and compare both dry aroma and the brewed infusion. Record drying, cleaning and any microbial reduction treatment, including whether flavourings or other plants are added.

For food use, confirm applicable pesticide residue requirements with the relevant food authority. Agree batch testing for pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbiological contamination and moisture through testing and certification. Herbs and spices do not normally need a health certificate for import; confirm the actual consignment requirements before dispatch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of cut dried peppermint leaves; values are illustrative. under 1211 90 86 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,400, so it is £680. 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. 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

Identity: compare leaf appearance and aroma with the approved peppermint sample; investigate substituted mint or unidentified plant fragments.

Cut and purity: sieve a representative sample and check stems, dust, stones and foreign material against the agreed specification.

Condition: check moisture, musty odours, visible mould, insects and loss of aroma; inspect liners and seals for dampness or damage.

Batch records: match bag labels, supplier lot records and laboratory reports; check that organic documentation covers the supplied goods.

What goes wrong

A sample can smell stronger than the delivered batch, while excessive stems and dust change infusion strength and filling behaviour. Damp liners encourage mould, and rough handling breaks whole leaves into fines. Keep a sealed reference sample and hold questionable stock while identity and batch tests are checked.

An organic claim can arrive without the required inspection documentation, while a generic herb description leaves tariff controls unresolved. Review documents before shipment and check arrival condition before accepting the batch. Use quality inspection explained to define the inspection scope.

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.