Sourcing paper pulp filter sheets and pads from China
Filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp from China, such as depth filter sheets used in wine, beer, spirits, oil and chemical filtration, pay 0% UK duty under the single code 4812 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. Sheets used for drinks and food are food contact materials, and buyers check retention rating, flow, size and packing.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 4812 covers filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Filter papers cut to shape and filter aids such as diatomite are classified elsewhere; see our diatomite guide and activated carbon and filter aids guide. Confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp | 4812 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Food contact and specification
Filter sheets for wine, beer, spirits, juices and edible oils are food contact materials under the retained framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, so ask for a declaration of compliance and migration data covering the pulp, filter aids and resins in the sheet.
Specify size, thickness, nominal retention or grade, water flow rate, wet strength, composition (cellulose, diatomite, perlite), and packing that keeps sheets clean and dry.
Paper pulp products of chapter 48 are within the scope of the UK Timber Regulations, except bamboo-based and recovered products, so the business that first places filter sheets within scope on the GB market must carry out due diligence on the pulp's species and country of harvest. Ask for the pulp source and any chain of custody certificate with each shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 depth filter sheets for a UK winery under 4812 00 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,500, so it is £1,300. 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
Grade: check thickness, weight and retention markings against the specification.
Performance: run a flow and clarity trial on your product for a new supplier.
Packing: check sealed, clean packing and dry storage. See our quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
Filter sheet orders fail on grade, taint and documents. Retention differs from the rating, sheets give off a papery taste, and food contact documents are missing.
Cambridge China Bridge sources process consumables for UK drinks producers with documents agreed before production; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on filter sheets from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, paper pulp filter blocks and sheets under 4812 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Do filter sheets for wine need food contact documents?
Yes. They are food contact materials under the retained Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
What does the grade of a filter sheet mean?
Its nominal retention, from coarse clarifying to fine sterilising grades; check against the supplier's rating.
Why test before a large order?
Flow rate, clarity and taint differ between makers, so trial the sheet on your product.