Sourcing dried red dates from China
Plain dried red dates have a 2% tariff rate under the candidate other-dried-fruit code, with a 0% suspension; relevant mixtures carry 6% to 8%. Confirm classification and suspension eligibility before ordering. Food must meet UK pesticide and contaminant limits, and organic consignments need inspection certificates. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried red dates.
Dried red dates: full rate and suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 November 2026, heading 0813 covers other dried fruit and mixtures of nuts or dried fruit. For plain dried red dates, check the residual other-fruit code 0813 40 95 80: its Chinese-origin duty is 2%, with an autonomous suspension to 0%. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing different components. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
The tariff attaches an organic import control. Organic dried fruit consignments from China need an inspection certificate for import into Great Britain; the exporter's control body issues it. Confirm the documents with your customs broker before shipment. The supplied facts also show a suspension against 0813 50 15 00, but its footnote excludes mixtures, so do not assume that a red date blend qualifies.
Confirm the commodity code using the fruit identity, drying process and complete ingredients. These rows include neighbouring mixture categories, not separate grades of plain red dates. For other products in this heading, see the dried fruit and goji berries guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain dried red dates, subject to classification confirmation | 0813 40 95 80 | 2% | None |
| Red date and dried fruit mixtures without prunes, excluding other headings | 0813 50 15 00 | 6% | None |
| Red date and dried fruit mixtures containing prunes | 0813 50 19 00 | 8% | None |
| Red date and nut mixtures without prunes, figs or separately listed nuts | 0813 50 91 80 | 8% | None |
Specify the red date and the drying process
State that the product is red dates or jujubes, then specify variety, growing origin, whole or pitted fruit, slices if required, size grading, colour and texture. Agree moisture, broken fruit and insect-damage acceptance criteria against an approved sample. Record any added sugar, oil, preservatives or other fruit rather than accepting a description of dried dates alone.
Confirm applicable pesticide residue and contaminant limits with the relevant food authority. Agree lot sampling and laboratory testing before shipment, including sulphur dioxide where used. Confirm sulphur dioxide allergen declaration requirements with the relevant food authority. Specify sealed liners, storage conditions and batch identification so arrival checks can be matched to the tested lot.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of plain dried red dates under 0813 40 95 80, 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 2% is £436. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,236, so it is £4,447.20. Import taxes total £4,883.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £436 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
Identity and grade: compare the actual red dates with the approved sample for size, colour, shrivelling and broken fruit.
Pitting and foreign matter: open sampled fruit and check for remaining stones, sharp stone fragments, stalks, insects and grit.
Moisture and condition: measure against the agreed specification and check for mould, fermentation odour, clumping and wet liners.
Records and packs: match laboratory reports to batch marks, check seals and ingredient declarations, and check inspection certificates for organic consignments.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A visually acceptable sample can hide inconsistent drying or poor pitting in bulk production. Damp fruit can ferment or grow mould during transport, while stone fragments remain in packs sold as pitted. Check production-lot samples before dispatch and repeat condition checks on arrival.
Residue failures and undeclared sulphites can prevent sale even when appearance is acceptable. Organic paperwork and a blend incorrectly treated as plain dried fruit can also disrupt clearance. Agree testing, ingredients and document responsibilities before placing the order.
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 red dates from China?
The candidate code 0813 40 95 80 carries 2%, with a 0% autonomous suspension excluding mixtures and preparations. Confirm the product's classification and eligibility. Relevant mixture lines carry 6% or 8%.
Do imported dried red dates attract VAT?
Confirm the exact product’s VAT treatment with HMRC or your customs broker, particularly if it is coated, prepared or sold for a different use.
What paperwork do organic red dates need?
Organic consignments from China into Great Britain need an inspection certificate issued by the exporter's control body. Confirm the consignment documents before dispatch.
What should I check in pitted dried red dates?
Check for whole stones and sharp stone fragments, then inspect moisture, mould, insect damage, grading and seals. Match residue and sulphur dioxide reports to the delivered batch.