Sourcing dried wakame from China
Plain dried wakame fit for human consumption from China carries 0% UK duty, with no duty variation between the forms covered here. Imported food must comply with applicable food law, and organic consignments need a Great Britain certificate of inspection. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried wakame.
Dried wakame duty and organic controls
Heading 1212 covers seaweeds and other algae, including dried and ground forms. Plain dried wakame fit for human consumption falls within 1212 21 00 00. The table shows buying formats within that same commodity line, rather than separate tariff classifications. See the seaweed and algae guide for the wider product family.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 November 2026, the supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for this line from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches an organic import control. Organic food imported from China into Great Britain needs a certificate of inspection for each consignment, and the exporter’s control body and export country must appear on the non-UK organic registers.
Confirm the composition, processing and intended use before declaring the commodity code. Do not assume that a seasoned mixture has the same classification as plain dried wakame. Agree the description with your customs broker before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain dried wakame leaves, fit for human consumption | 1212 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the leaf, cut and rehydration
Specify wakame identity, leaf or stem content, cut size, colour, broken pieces, moisture and residual salt. Ask whether the material was blanched, washed or salted before drying, and record any added ingredients. Approve a retained sample and a rehydration method so the factory and your receiving team compare the same texture and usable yield.
Agree moisture-resistant packaging, storage instructions and batch-linked laboratory reports. Ask the laboratory to propose checks for inorganic arsenic, other relevant metals, iodine and microbiological quality for your intended use. These are purchasing checks, not a claim that every test has a wakame-specific statutory limit. Food imported into Great Britain for sale must comply with applicable food law.
For an organic order, arrange certification of your importing business by an approved UK control body as well as consignment paperwork. Have the control body check the exporter’s certification before approving organic packaging.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of plain dried wakame cuts; values are hypothetical 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 and appearance: compare dry leaves and rehydrated samples with the approved sample; look for mixed seaweed, excessive stems, sand and foreign material.
Rehydration: use the agreed soaking method and compare texture, colour, saltiness, usable yield and the amount of fine debris.
Packaging: check seals, liners, dampness, clumping, odour and carton condition; match batch markings to the packing list and laboratory reports.
Labels: check that the packaging or food label includes the name and address of the business marketing or importing the food; reconcile the product description with the actual contents.
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What goes wrong
A dry sample can conceal excessive stems or fines that become obvious after soaking. Uneven cuts change portioning, residual salt changes flavour, and weak liners allow dampness and clumping. Compare production samples after rehydration before releasing the shipment, then repeat the agreed checks on arrival.
A generic seaweed report may describe a different species or batch. Keep the report tied to the supplied wakame and investigate unexplained changes in composition or results. Unsafe food must not be placed on the market. For organic orders, a supplier’s certificate does not replace the required consignment certificate of inspection.
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 wakame from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty under 1212 21 00 00 for plain dried wakame fit for human consumption, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Can I import organic dried wakame from China?
For Great Britain, your importing business needs approved organic certification, each consignment needs a certificate of inspection, and the exporter’s control body and export country must be on the non-UK organic registers.
What should I specify when buying dried wakame?
Agree identity, leaf and stem content, cut size, moisture, residual salt, broken pieces, packaging and a shared rehydration method. Compare usable yield and texture against an approved sample.
Which laboratory checks should I discuss?
Discuss inorganic arsenic, other relevant metals, iodine and microbiological quality with a food laboratory. Match the testing plan to the intended use and require reports identifying the supplied batch.