Sourcing ELISA reagent kits from China

ELISA kit duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3822 covers prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents, including kits, and certified reference materials. The supplied lines all carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions. The table shows possible classifications, not interchangeable choices.

The selected prepared-reagent lines have no attached import controls in the supplied tariff record. For 3822 90 00 00, the UK Trade Tariff attaches Veterinary control and Restriction on entry into free circulation concerning ozone-depleting substances. If this line applies, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for the Chinese kit and its ingredients before shipping. Do not assume every animal-derived reagent follows the same route.

Confirm the intended use, disease target, formulation and presentation through finding your commodity code. Other reagents and reference materials are covered in the wider diagnostic and laboratory reagents guide.

Specify the ELISA assay and intended use

Specify the analyte, species and sample type, assay format, qualitative or quantitative output, reader settings and supplied components. Agree the calibration range, acceptance criteria, cross-reactivity evidence and dilution instructions. Request a sample kit and assess it with your intended samples and laboratory equipment before approving bulk supply.

For human diagnostic use in Great Britain, confirm with MHRA the applicable UKCA or CE marking requirements, whether the overseas manufacturer needs a UK Responsible Person, and the MHRA registration arrangements before sale. For research-only kits, confirm the appropriate labelling, sales presentation and diagnostic-claim restrictions with MHRA. Failure to register a medical device prevents lawful placement on the Great Britain market.

Ask for the animal origin and processing details of antibodies, serum and other biological components. Where a specific animal-product import authorisation is needed, the permitted country of origin is assessed case by case. Resolve whether the Chinese product qualifies before ordering; a supplier's description of it as a laboratory kit does not settle the import route.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 ELISA reagent kits, illustrative order only under 3822 19 00 90, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,300, so it is £1,060. 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

Contents: check coated plate or strips, standards, controls, conjugate, substrate, wash buffer and any stop solution against the agreed kit list; confirm supplied volumes and dilution instructions.

Batch performance: check the lot-specific certificate of analysis and agreed acceptance results; compare blank response, calibration curve and control recovery with the approved sample.

Labels and documents: check catalogue identity, lot numbers, expiry dates, storage conditions and English instructions; for diagnostic kits, check the marking and registration documents for that exact product.

Transport and receipt: check temperature logger records, seals, leaks and remaining shelf life before accepting stock. Use the quality inspection guide to define the shipment checks.

What goes wrong

Warm transport can reduce enzyme and antibody activity. Short expiry dates, missing components and unsupported performance claims can also undermine the order. Compare the delivered lot with the approved sample, retain its documents and investigate failed controls before accepting the batch.

A research-only kit offered for diagnosis creates a compliance problem even when its assay works. Settle intended use and product documents before approving labels. For animal-derived ingredients, resolve the import route before dispatch rather than relying on the kit's commercial name.

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.