Sourcing enzymes from China

Zero duty with a veterinary control

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, rennet and its concentrates (3507 10 00 00), lipoprotein lipase and aspergillus alkaline protease (3507 90 30 00) and other enzymes and prepared enzymes (3507 90 90 90) carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Rennet and the residual line carry a veterinary control, because some enzymes come from animal tissue, so check the source and the GOV.UK guidance on importing animal products before shipping. For albumins, see our albumin sourcing guide. For gelatin, see our gelatin sourcing guide.

Enzymes used in food production fall under retained Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 on food enzymes, so confirm with the Food Standards Agency how the enzyme and its use are treated before ordering; enzymes added to animal feed must be authorised feed additives on the GB register. Yeast and baking agents are covered in our yeast and baking powder guide.

Activity, safety and labelling

Enzymes are sold on activity, not weight, so the contract must name the activity unit, the assay method and the temperature and pH it is measured at, and the certificate of analysis must use the same method. Food and feed grades also need limits for heavy metals and microbiology, and the production strain should be declared.

Many enzymes, especially proteases, are respiratory sensitisers under GB CLP, so labels and safety data sheets must carry the sensitiser warning, and powders are usually supplied granulated or encapsulated to limit dust. An importer of more than one tonne a year should check UK REACH.

Worked duty example

An invented example rather than a quote: 5 tonnes of liquid protease preparation for detergents in IBCs, commodity code 3507 90 90 90, bought for £22,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance, so £23,800 is the value customs works from. No duty is due on enzyme preparations; import VAT at 20% of £23,800 is £4,760. If you are VAT-registered, that VAT is normally reclaimable. Enzymes of animal origin, such as rennet, also need the veterinary documents the tariff flags. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.

What goes wrong

Enzyme lots fail on activity, stability and paperwork. Activity measured by the supplier's own method does not match the buyer's assay; liquid enzymes lose activity when containers sit warm in transit; powders are dusty, which raises the sensitisation risk for workers; and food or feed paperwork is missing or covers a different strain.

Agree the assay method and units in the contract and test activity on arrival at a UK laboratory using the same method, specify reefer or insulated shipping where the enzyme needs it, check dust level and granule size on powders, and confirm the strain declaration and any food or feed authorisation before the goods ship.

Cambridge China Bridge sources enzymes for bakery, brewing, textile, detergent and feed producers, with activity testing and documents settled first. See how we verify suppliers.