Sourcing dried spirulina biomass from China
Dried spirulina biomass from China carries 0% UK duty across the relevant dried algae lines. Food must be safe, and organic consignments entering Great Britain need a certificate of inspection. Specify whole biomass, its identity and batch testing before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried spirulina biomass.
Dried spirulina: 0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant dried algae lines within heading 1212 carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions listed. The heading includes algae, dried or ground. The table distinguishes powder and flakes within the same tariff lines; fitness for human consumption determines which line to investigate.
The tariff attaches an organic import control to both relevant lines. For organic food from China entering Great Britain, obtain a Great Britain certificate of inspection for each consignment and check the exporter’s control body and export country against the non-UK organic registers. Your importing company must be based in the UK and certified by an approved UK organic control body. Confirm the shipment paperwork with your control body and customs broker before dispatch.
Give your broker the composition, drying process, product form and intended use to confirm the commodity code. This guide covers dried whole biomass; ask for a separate classification review for extracts or formulated products. See the wider seaweed and algae guide for the rest of the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried spirulina powder fit for human consumption | 1212 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Dried spirulina powder not fit for human consumption | 1212 29 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify whole biomass and its test panel
Write the species identity, cultivation site, drying method and complete composition into the purchase specification. State whether you want powder or flakes, and agree particle size, moisture, protein test method, colour, odour and packaging. Ask the supplier to declare carriers, added colours and other ingredients. Use an approved sample to assess mixing behaviour in your own recipe.
Food must not be sold if unsafe, and food labels cannot claim or imply that it treats, prevents or cures disease or a medical condition. Agree a laboratory test panel for the intended use, covering microbiological quality, heavy metals and microcystins as appropriate. Match reports to the supplied batch and arrange testing and certification support before shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of dried spirulina powder for food manufacture under 1212 21 00 00, invoiced at £6,180 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,080. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,080, so it is £1,416. 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: check the species declaration, composition and production records against the approved biomass sample.
Batch evidence: check that sampling records and laboratory reports identify the shipped lot and use the agreed methods.
Powder condition: check moisture, caking, colour, odour and particle size; trial dispersion in the intended recipe.
Packaging: check liners, seals, damage, net weight and batch markings; match any organic consignment to its import paperwork.
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What goes wrong
A green powder can look acceptable while its identity, composition or test evidence remains uncertain. Watch for undeclared carriers, reports covering a different lot, uneven milling and moisture entering damaged liners. Caking and changes in odour or colour should trigger investigation against the agreed specification before the batch is used.
An organic supplier certificate alone does not replace the consignment certificate of inspection required for organic food from China entering Great Britain. Check the paperwork before dispatch. Keep uncertain batches separate while identity, laboratory results or damaged packaging are investigated.
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 spirulina from China?
The relevant dried algae lines carried 0% duty on 30 September 2026, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions listed. Confirm the line against composition and fitness for human consumption.
Does organic spirulina from China need an import certificate?
Organic food entering Great Britain needs a Great Britain certificate of inspection for each consignment. Check exporter recognition and your UK organic importer certification before dispatch.
What should I test in dried spirulina powder?
Agree identity, moisture, protein method and particle size, plus a laboratory panel for microbiological quality, heavy metals and microcystins as appropriate. Match results to the shipped batch.
Can I sell imported spirulina as a food supplement?
Check ingredient status, applicable contaminant limits and supplement labelling before sale. Food labels cannot claim or imply that the product treats, prevents or cures disease or a medical condition.