Sourcing fermented mulberry wine from China
Fermented mulberry wine from China carries UK customs duty of £4.80 to £16.00 per hectolitre, depending on whether it is still or sparkling and the container capacity. Alcohol Duty is separate; confirm alcohol-strength labelling requirements with the relevant authority before approving labels. Cambridge China Bridge sources fermented mulberry wine.
Volume-based customs duty and separate Alcohol Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2206 covers other fermented beverages and certain beverage mixtures. For fermented mulberry wine, the relevant other-beverage lines carry £16.00 per hectolitre for sparkling products, £6.40 for still products in containers holding 2 litres or less, and £4.80 for still products in larger containers. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The tariff attaches an organic-products import control. The exporter’s control body issues the inspection certificate in the country of export. Confirm with your customs broker whether this certificate is required for release as organic, together with the remaining requirements for organic goods from China, before shipment. Alcohol Duty also applies to imported alcoholic products, at the same rates as UK-produced products. Agree the duty arrangements before ordering.
Confirm the recipe, production method, carbonation and container capacity using our commodity-code guide. The relevant lines have volume-based duties, so a percentage-duty worked example does not apply. The table repeats the sparkling line for bottles and cans. For wider heading context, see our fermented blueberry wine guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkling fermented mulberry wine in bottles | 2206 00 39 00 | £16.00 per hl | None |
| Still fermented mulberry wine, containers holding 2 litres or less | 2206 00 59 00 | £6.40 per hl | None |
| Still fermented mulberry wine, containers holding more than 2 litres | 2206 00 89 00 | £4.80 per hl | None |
Specify the mulberry recipe and fermentation
Ask for the complete recipe and production process. Specify the mulberry raw material, any other fruit, added sugar, added alcohol, flavourings, colours and preservatives. Agree alcoholic strength, sweetness, acidity, colour, permitted sediment and whether the drink is still or sparkling. Keep an approved sample for comparison with production batches.
Specify bottle or can material, fill volume, closure, storage conditions and the evidence supporting shelf life. Confirm alcohol-strength labelling requirements and the required food name, net quantity and business name and address with the relevant authority before approving artwork. Review allergen information and additive authorisation before approving artwork. Arrange testing and certification around the actual recipe.
Inspection checklist
Batch identity: match the delivered lot to the recipe, production records and batch analysis; compare colour, aroma, sweetness and sediment with the approved sample.
Laboratory: check alcoholic strength, acidity, residual sugar, sulphites and microbiological stability against the agreed specification.
Packaging: inspect fill levels, closures, leaks, broken glass and carton dividers; check sparkling packs for pressure-related damage.
Labels and documents: compare artwork with the approved version, check strength and allergen information, and reconcile quantities with shipping documents and any organic inspection certificate.
What goes wrong
Watch for a recipe that changes between sampling and production, including substitution of other fruit or addition of alcohol. These changes can alter taste and the classification assessment. Residual fermentation can cause unexpected gas, leaking closures or swollen packs; investigate unexpected fizz in a still product before releasing the batch.
Customs duty is only part of the landed cost. Include separate Alcohol Duty when reviewing the order. Agree acceptance criteria for sediment, colour variation and closure performance, then compare arrival samples with retained production samples. Our quality inspection guide explains how to turn the specification into checks.
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 fermented mulberry wine from China?
Sparkling: £16.00 per hectolitre. Still: £6.40 per hectolitre in containers holding 2 litres or less, or £4.80 in larger containers. Alcohol Duty is separate.
Which commodity code covers bottled mulberry wine?
For still fermented mulberry wine in containers holding 2 litres or less, assess 2206 00 59 00. Sparkling products use the other sparkling line, 2206 00 39 00. Confirm the recipe and production method.
Can I import mulberry wine labelled organic?
The inspection certificate is issued by the exporter’s control body. Confirm with your customs broker whether it is required for release as organic and what other China-specific import requirements apply.
What should I test before buying fermented mulberry wine?
Check alcoholic strength, sweetness, acidity, sulphites and microbiological stability. Compare the production batch with the approved sample and test closures, leaks and sediment against agreed acceptance criteria.