Sourcing dried sea lettuce from China
Dried sea lettuce from China carries 0% UK duty on the relevant edible and non-food dried-algae lines, with no listed trade remedy. Food must not be sold if it is unsafe. Specify the species, drying process and intended use, and check organic paperwork separately. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried sea lettuce.
Dried sea lettuce: 0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 1212 covers seaweeds and other algae, including dried material whether or not ground. Dried sea lettuce fit for human consumption falls under 1212 21 00 00; dried material not fit for human consumption falls under 1212 29 00 90. The table shows product forms sharing these codes, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Both relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on these lines. It attaches an organic-products import control. For an organic shipment from China, have your customs broker confirm the certificate of inspection and certification requirements before dispatch. The certificate is issued by the exporter’s control body in the country of export.
Give your broker the species, intended use, ingredients and processing description to confirm the commodity code. This guide concerns plain dried sea lettuce; ask for a classification review if it is seasoned or blended. See the wider seaweed and algae guide for the broader heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried sea lettuce, whole, fit for human consumption | 1212 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Dried sea lettuce, not fit for human consumption | 1212 29 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify species, drying and food use
Write the botanical species into the purchase specification, alongside the common name sea lettuce. Agree whether the goods are whole blades, flakes or powder, and record the harvest area, washing method, drying process and any added ingredients. For food manufacture, state whether you will cook the material or use it without further heating.
Agree moisture, foreign matter, colour, odour and particle size against an approved sample. Ask a laboratory to propose batch testing for microbiological contamination, iodine and metals, including inorganic arsenic. Treat these as purchasing checks, with acceptance criteria agreed for the intended use. Unsafe food must not be placed on the market. Arrange testing and certification support before approving the shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of dried sea lettuce flakes for food manufacturing under 1212 21 00 00, 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 the botanical name, harvest records and supplied material with the approved sample; investigate mixed species or unexplained changes in appearance.
Drying: check moisture results, brittle or clumped texture, musty odour and evidence of condensation inside the packaging.
Cleanliness: inspect drawn samples for sand, shell fragments, other seaweed and foreign matter; compare flake size and powder fineness with the agreed grade.
Batch evidence: match bag markings, packing records and laboratory reports to the shipment; check seals, liners and any organic certificate details.
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What goes wrong
A common name alone leaves room for species substitution. Excessive sand, uneven drying and a large proportion of fines can make a batch unsuitable for the buyer’s recipe. Powder makes visual identity checks harder, so obtain species and processing evidence before milling rather than relying only on the finished sample.
Moisture entering damaged liners can produce clumping and mould during transit. A report for a different batch does not establish the quality of the delivered goods. Keep suspect stock separate while investigating, and use a written release decision based on the agreed specification. Plan arrival checks with the quality inspection guide.
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 sea lettuce from China?
The relevant edible and non-food dried-algae lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers edible dried sea lettuce?
Plain dried sea lettuce fit for human consumption falls under 1212 21 00 00. Give your broker the species, ingredients and processing details to confirm classification.
What should I test in dried sea lettuce?
Agree moisture and foreign-matter checks, and ask a laboratory for a testing plan covering microbiological contamination, iodine and metals, including inorganic arsenic, for your intended use.
Can I import organic dried sea lettuce from China?
The tariff attaches an organic-products import control. Have your broker confirm certificate and certification requirements before shipment; the exporter’s control body issues the certificate of inspection.