Sourcing elemi resin from China
Natural elemi resin from China under 1301 90 00 00 carries 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Identify the botanical source and processing before confirming classification, and check the broad tariff line's controls against the actual resin. Cambridge China Bridge sources elemi resin.
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Elemi resin: zero duty and product identity checks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 1301 covers lac, natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins. Natural elemi resin is considered under the other-resins line, 1301 90 00 00, subject to confirmation of its composition and processing. The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions.
The line attaches CITES, organic-product and Home Office controlled-drug import controls, alongside CITES and controlled-drug export controls. These flags cover the wider commodity line. CITES-listed resins need the relevant permits; controlled drugs or precursor chemicals require a licence for import or export. Give your customs broker the botanical identity and full composition to confirm which requirements apply to the actual shipment.
This guide covers the resin itself. Describe any distillation, extraction, added solvent or blending when confirming the commodity code. Only the other-resins line in the supplied facts is relevant to elemi. See the natural gums and resins guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural elemi resin | 1301 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify elemi identity, condition and intended use
Ask the supplier to state the botanical name, harvesting country, processing location and whether the material is raw, cleaned or otherwise processed. Agree the resin's physical form, colour, odour, consistency and acceptable bark or other insoluble matter against an approved sample. Record any added material. A Chinese supplier's address does not establish where the resin was harvested.
For fragrance or coating trials, compare the sample in your actual formulation and agree the test method for dissolution and residue. Ask for composition, a safety data sheet and batch analysis. UK REACH regulates chemicals placed on the market in Great Britain; check the obligations for the material and use with the UK REACH guide.
For an organic claim, the tariff attaches an organic-product import control. The official organic import guidance concerns food, feed and seed; applicability to your elemi resin has not been established here. Confirm the requirement with your customs broker and, where relevant, an approved organic control body before ordering or labelling the goods.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of elemi resin for a small manufacturer under 1301 90 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,900, so it is £3,380. 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.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the botanical name, harvesting origin, composition and batch reference across the specification, invoice, batch analysis and container labels.
Condition: compare colour, odour and consistency with the approved sample; check for bark, grit, water contamination and unexplained differences between containers.
Performance: trial dissolution and residue using the agreed solvent and method, then compare the resin's behaviour in your formulation with the approved sample.
Packing: check closures, liner compatibility, leakage and contamination; retain a labelled arrival sample. Agree the scope through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
An order described only as elemi can leave the species, processing and composition unresolved. A sample may perform differently from the shipped batch, while bark or grit can increase residue and poorly closed containers can leak. Specify these acceptance checks before placing the order and compare arrival samples before using the whole batch.
The broad tariff controls can also be mishandled: a buyer may assume every natural resin needs a licence, or ignore a flag without identifying the material. Have the broker resolve applicability before dispatch. Keep duty separate from import VAT and other landed costs; see UK import duty and VAT.
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 elemi resin from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% for natural resin under 1301 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the actual elemi product belongs in that line.
Does elemi resin need a CITES permit?
The tariff line carries a CITES flag. Permit requirements depend on the identified species and material. Ask your broker to confirm applicability rather than treating the trade name as proof.
What should I ask an elemi resin supplier for?
Request the botanical name, harvesting country, processing details, full composition, batch analysis and an approved sample. Agree colour, odour, consistency, insoluble matter and performance in your formulation.
Can I accept an organic elemi resin claim?
Confirm the claim and documents before ordering. The tariff attaches an organic import control; ask your customs broker and, where relevant, an approved organic control body what applies to your product.