Sourcing freeze-dried daphnia from China
Freeze-dried daphnia entered under 0511 91 90 00 carries 0% UK duty from China. Veterinary controls still apply: freezing alone is not a recognised processing method under the finished ornamental pet-feed guidance. Confirm the import route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources freeze-dried daphnia.
Zero duty, with animal-product controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, heading 0511 covers animal products not elsewhere specified and dead animals unfit for human consumption. The relevant candidate for unmixed freeze-dried daphnia is 0511 91 90 00, covering other products of fish, crustaceans, molluscs or aquatic invertebrates. It carries 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. The table shows pack formats under the same tariff line.
The tariff attaches veterinary, CITES, invasive-species and organic import controls, plus a CITES export control. Animal by-product guidance requires entry through an approved border control post. Ask your customs broker to confirm the veterinary documents and whether the other attached controls require documents for the named species and claims. For an organic claim, the certificate of inspection is issued by the exporter’s control body in the country of export.
Before ordering, give your broker the species, ingredients, intended use, processing records and pack format. Ask them to check China-specific safeguards and whether the proposed animal by-product import route is available. Confirm classification using finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see the freeze-dried bloodworms guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unmixed freeze-dried daphnia in bulk packs | 0511 91 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the species and drying process
Specify unmixed daphnia, the scientific species name, source material, drying method and intended use as ornamental pet-fish feed. Agree moisture, particle size, permitted dust, composition and pack weight against an approved sample. Ask for drying records and batch microbiological reports rather than accepting the words “freeze-dried” as proof of safe processing.
Official finished ornamental pet-feed guidance says freezing is not a processing method. Ask the broker to determine which feed-material or finished-feed conditions fit the shipment. Under the feed-material guidance, precautions must prevent recontamination after drying. Review how the factory separates dried stock from raw material, cleans filling equipment and seals packs.
For retail labels, additional information must not mislead purchasers or make medicinal claims. Avoid copying supplier claims that daphnia treats fish disease or digestive problems. Agree ingredient wording, intended fish species, batch identification and storage instructions before printing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial consignment of unmixed freeze-dried daphnia in sealed retail packs under 0511 91 90 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,400, so it is £480. 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
Identity: compare the species declaration, ingredient list and batch records with the approved sample; check for substituted material or undeclared blends.
Dryness: inspect for damp clumps, musty odour, visible mould and changes in texture; compare moisture results with the agreed specification.
Breakage: examine packs from different cartons for crushed bodies, excessive dust and foreign matter; compare the particle distribution with the sample.
Packaging: check seals, lids, net contents and batch marks; reconcile the delivered lot with its processing and microbiological reports. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
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What goes wrong
A dry-looking sample can hide weak processing evidence, while the delivered lot may contain more dust or absorb moisture through poor seals. Retain the approved sample and compare it with arrival samples. Hold affected stock while the supplier investigates dampness, damaged packs or mismatched batch reports.
Ordering before the import route is confirmed can leave the buyer with suitable-looking fish feed and unresolved border documents. Settle species identity, processing evidence, China eligibility and the attached tariff controls before committing to production.
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 freeze-dried daphnia from China?
The supplied tariff reading shows 0% under 0511 91 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Confirm that code for the actual product.
Can I import freeze-dried daphnia from China?
Have your broker confirm the route for the species, processing and intended use, including China-specific safeguards. The tariff’s 0% duty does not establish import eligibility.
Does freeze-drying settle the animal-product controls?
Do not assume it does. Finished ornamental pet-feed guidance says freezing is not a processing method. Give your broker the full drying and treatment records.
What should I check when daphnia arrives?
Check species and batch identity, moisture, clumping, odour, dust, foreign matter and seals. Match the lot to its processing records and microbiological reports.