Sourcing fermented hawthorn wine from China
Fermented hawthorn wine from China carries customs duty of £4.80 to £16.00 per hectolitre, depending on whether it is still or sparkling and its container size. Alcohol Duty is separate, so confirm strength and the duty route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources fermented hawthorn wine.
Customs duty by presentation and container size
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2206 covers other fermented beverages and certain beverage mixtures. For fermented hawthorn wine, the relevant lines are sparkling other beverages at £16.00 per hectolitre, still other beverages in containers holding 2 litres or less at £6.40, and still other beverages in larger containers at £4.80. The supplied facts support only these relevant lines and no percentage-based worked example.
The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions. It attaches import control of organic products to every line. Wine imported from China for organic release needs a certificate of inspection; the exporter’s control body issues the certificate. Confirm the organic clearance arrangements with your customs broker before shipping.
Alcohol Duty applies separately on import. Ask your broker to confirm how strength and litres of pure alcohol affect the calculation, and to confirm the duty route and commodity code using the recipe, fermentation process, carbonation and container capacity. Our fermented blueberry wine guide gives related coverage within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkling fermented hawthorn wine | 2206 00 39 00 | £16.00 per hl | None |
| Still fermented hawthorn wine, containers holding 2 litres or less | 2206 00 59 00 | £6.40 per hl | None |
| Still fermented hawthorn wine, containers holding more than 2 litres | 2206 00 89 00 | £4.80 per hl | None |
Specify the hawthorn recipe and fermentation
Specify whether the base is hawthorn juice, pulp or concentrate, and disclose other fruit, added sugar, flavourings, preservatives and any added alcohol. Agree alcohol strength, sweetness, acidity, colour, clarity and acceptable sediment against a retained sample. Record whether the finished drink is still or sparkling.
Agree the filtration or stabilisation process, storage conditions, bottle capacity, closure and carton dividers. Request batch analysis and evidence supporting the agreed shelf life. Ask the relevant food-labelling authority to confirm requirements for the product name, net quantity and UK business name and address, and whether drinks above 1.2% alcohol by volume must state their strength.
For UK-established businesses selling alcohol wholesale at or after the duty point, confirm with HMRC whether Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme approval is required or an exclusion applies. Resolve this before arranging wholesale supply.
Inspection checklist
Liquid: compare aroma, sweetness, acidity, colour and sediment with the approved sample; investigate unexpected cloudiness or gas in a still wine.
Laboratory: check alcohol strength against the label and test the agreed chemical and microbiological specification, including sulphites where relevant.
Packaging: check fill levels, closure security, leaks, glass damage and carton dividers; verify the agreed pressure performance for sparkling wine.
Documents and labels: match batch identifiers to analysis reports and shipping records; check the UK label artwork and required allergen information. For organic stock, check the inspection certificate with your broker.
What goes wrong
A product sold as hawthorn wine may have a different fruit base or added alcohol that was absent from the approved recipe. Other risks include excessive sediment, oxidation, sweetness drift and renewed fermentation after bottling. Compare production samples with the agreed recipe and retained sample before release.
Leaking closures and broken bottles can turn an acceptable liquid into unsaleable stock. A quotation that excludes Alcohol Duty also understates landed cost. Arrange quality inspection and review the duty and VAT calculation before committing to the shipment.
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 hawthorn wine from China?
Sparkling wine carries £16.00 per hectolitre. Still wine carries £6.40 in containers holding 2 litres or less, or £4.80 in larger containers. Alcohol Duty is separate.
Does fermented hawthorn wine also pay Alcohol Duty?
Yes. Alcohol Duty is separate from customs duty. Confirm with your broker how alcohol strength and litres of pure alcohol affect the calculation, along with the applicable rate and duty route.
Can I import organic hawthorn wine from China?
Organic release needs a certificate of inspection issued by the exporter’s control body. Confirm the supplier’s certification and clearance arrangements with your broker before ordering.
What should I test before buying hawthorn wine?
Check alcohol strength, sweetness, acidity, stability and the agreed contaminant specification. Compare aroma and sediment with the approved sample, and test closures for leakage.